Maersk starts container production
AP Moller-Maersk said that in response to an equipment shortage, Maersk Line has initiated production of new containers and leasing of containers, Dow Jones reported.
Maersk has also re-activated laid-up container ships to assist in repositioning containers as fast as possible from e.g. the east coast of North America and Latin America to Asia.
The container shipping industry is entering peak season, which traditionally brings about an increase in cargo volumes. With the unexpectedly strong rebound in the demand for container shipping already seen in the market, Maersk Line also expects that the peak season will see an unprecedented shortage of containers.
"The present market situation is unique. We are experiencing a demand surge in most trades, which is a development that is both unprecedented and unexpected by us and our customers. For example, the Asia - Europe trade is growing by 23 percent compared to the market's single digit expectation just six months ago," says Lars Reno Jakobsen, head of network and product and member of Maersk Line's management board.
"Therefore, we already see a very tight equipment situation. And we expect an even more pronounced and serious shortage of containers in the coming months as we enter the peak season."
As carriers and shippers did not expect the current demand surge, the necessary equipment has not been ordered in 2010, ultimately resulting in the global shortage in equipment.
Maersk has also re-activated laid-up container ships to assist in repositioning containers as fast as possible from e.g. the east coast of North America and Latin America to Asia.
The container shipping industry is entering peak season, which traditionally brings about an increase in cargo volumes. With the unexpectedly strong rebound in the demand for container shipping already seen in the market, Maersk Line also expects that the peak season will see an unprecedented shortage of containers.
"The present market situation is unique. We are experiencing a demand surge in most trades, which is a development that is both unprecedented and unexpected by us and our customers. For example, the Asia - Europe trade is growing by 23 percent compared to the market's single digit expectation just six months ago," says Lars Reno Jakobsen, head of network and product and member of Maersk Line's management board.
"Therefore, we already see a very tight equipment situation. And we expect an even more pronounced and serious shortage of containers in the coming months as we enter the peak season."
As carriers and shippers did not expect the current demand surge, the necessary equipment has not been ordered in 2010, ultimately resulting in the global shortage in equipment.