THE
assumption that a larger containership always results in lower operating costs
is being challenged by the prevailing market dynamics, according to Maersk
Line.
Speaking
at a media briefing, global COO of Maersk Line, Soren Toft, was
quoted as saying in a report by Seatrade Maritime News: "Previously the
bigger the ship the lower the cost, but what we are seeing right now is a
phenomenon of very depressed time charter rates and very low bunker cost.
"So
part of the equation of going from a 6,000 TEU vessel to a 10,000 TEU vessel in
a trade is being challenged because of these dynamics."
Mr
Toft also pointed out that with a bigger ship you had to call more ports and
make more contingencies.
"So
there is much more to this a bigger ship is always better," he said.
One of
the few bits of positive news Mr Toft was able to give in regards to where the
market was headed was that the bunker price is currently in the range of US$200
to $220.
"The
general trajectory we see for rates in the liner industry is for a slow erosion
of rates," he said. The average container freight rate decreased by 1.9
per cent annually since 2004. "We see no reason why that trend over the
long term will not continue."
Source
: HKSG.
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