The signs of the times are good, but whether sustainable is the question with no current answer, according to Richard Brook-Hart, director of Alpha Shipping, agents for the Argentinian line, Maruba. But, he told FTW, he tended to be more optimistic than otherwise. On imports, things are looking busier, with the lines getting into the pre-Christmas peak season, and rate restoration now in place. On exports, Brook-Hart currently noted a shortage of capacity – albeit, like all other lines, after a major (50%) capacity cut in the last year. This he attributed to the now three-month old commodity boom – with China buying all it can get of manganese, chrome, cobalt, copper, and iron ore. “Initially, China stopped buying, so we went for some months without exports,” Brook-Hart added. “But things have got better since June, along with a much-needed rate restoration.” The question is: Is the commodity boom sustainable? “Are they going to continue buying?” Brook-Hart asked, “or will they suddenly announce they are once more overstocked, and cut orders again?” And the answer to that will obviously dictate when it is feasible for lines to again start introducing more ships into their services. “Commodity traders don’t seem to really know,” said Brook-Hart, “and while things still remain somewhat uncertain, I don’t see lines putting on extra tonnage at this stage.” Alpha has two Maruba services linking SA with the Far East. One is an alliance with China Shipping and CMA CGM, and links up South America-Durban, SA-Far East on the eastbound leg – currently using 10 vessels of 2 100-TEU capacity. The other is a joint service with Hapag Lloyd and China Shipping, and has five vessels on the Far East- Durban-West Africa-Durban-Far East rotation.
