Staying competitive in a brave new world

The brave new world of maritime trade, fueled by the growth of mega ships, is quickly coming to terms with significant issues related to competition among shippers and supply chain efficiency.

The advent of increasingly large ships has led to a reduction in the number of carriers that can efficiently operate on a route, and this has precipitated the rise in carrier mergers and alliance activities that are dramatically reshaping the shipping landscape.

The latest development in this trend is the planned acquisition of the German container shipping line Hamburg Süd by the Danish titan A.P. Moller-Maersk, the world’s largest shipping line.

Against the backdrop of low freight rates and oversupply issues in the industry, this move is part of an effort to bolster the global trade presence of Maersk Line, particularly in the Latin American region. Completion of the regulatory approval process and final agreement are expected to take place at the end of this year.

Read more: From the CSA President