World fleet now 13 million TEU, to hit 14 million TEU in August

THE world's containership fleet recently reached 13 million TEU, a figure that includes laid up ships, for a total volume of 176 million deadweight tons, according to AXS Alphaliner records.

But the Paris-based consultancy also expects that the international box fleet will expand to 14 million TEU in August 2009.

Alphaliner figures include all types of ships deployed on liner trades, involving about 6,078 ships in all, cellular vessels, which contribute to 94.4 per cent of the total figure. The remaining 5.6 per cent is shared by non-celled containerships, multipurpose tonnage and ro-ro ships.

Said the agency: This count includes all the ships deployed on liner services in the common acceptance of the term. Given this common acceptance, we exclude a number of specific more or less regular services such as the parcel trades (steel and other neo-bulk products ), pure forest product trades or pure vehicle carrying services. Given this, the numerous multipurpose cargo vessels and conbulkers deployed on non-liner trades or on tramp trades are not included.

Despite bad fourth quarter, Rotterdam box volume up 3pc in 2008

ROTTERDAM container throughput was up three per cent in 2008 to 10.8 million TEU, according to the Rotterdam Port Authority.

Import containers increased four per cent to 53.2 million tons while exports were up 1.6 per cent to 54.3 million tons from 53.4 million tons. Overall tonnage was up to a record 420 million tonnes, up 2.7 per cent year on year.

Said a port authority statement: Despite a poor last quarter, Rotterdam has had an excellent year with record throughput, continuing high investments and the start of the construction of the Second Maasvlakte at the beginning of September.

However, said Hans Smits, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, it is around that time that the downturn started. But I remain positive about the future. This is primarily because of the investments. Nor am I pessimistic when it comes to throughput. Throughput will initially fall substantially in 2009. However, we will be able to achieve 100 million tonnes per quarter and a five to eight per cent drop. We would be happy if we can achieve 400 million tonnes.

Source: Schednet