Global container terminal operators are changing gear – and strategies – as the nature of their market environment changes markedly due to slowing growth, bigger ships and larger liner alliances, according to the latest container insight report from Drewry Maritime Research.
Drewry’s latest ‘Global Container Terminal Operators Annual Review’ report shows that container terminal operators are rapidly changing their strategies in the face of a ‘perfect storm’, creating pressure on profit margins and rates of return due to:
•Significant softening of demand growth;
•Higher operating expense (opex) and capital expenditure (capex) costs due to bigger ships;
•Increased business risks from larger liner alliances; and
•Loss-making carriers pressuring for lower terminal handling charges.
