The company is spending US$7bn on this latest deal to expand its ever-growing fleet.
An extended period of weak rates may place pressure on carrier profitability.
The tight, front-loaded market of 2025 is giving way to a 2026 downturn as softening trade clashes with a surge in new vessels.
While Asia-origin lanes have seen broad rises, performance elsewhere remains more uneven.
Coal exports are projected to decrease by as much as 2% in 2026.
Polarstern will replace the existing research vessel of the same name, which has been in service since 1982.
The La Niña weather pattern has brought good rains across Southern Africa.
December is expected to be the slowest month for ports since June 2023 when they handled 1.83 million TEU.
Air cargo enabled front-loading to deliver products ahead of tariff deadlines and accommodated demand surges.
It marks a significant milestone for aviation across Southern Africa with expanded airfreight options.
