What impact will autonomous ships have on ports? 

The re-routing of mainline vessels via the Cape of Good Hope has led to a significant downturn in vessel call capacity at East and Central Mediterranean hub ports.

The Port of Colombo is experiencing a notable surge in transshipment volumes amid heightened cargo flows to and from the Middle East due to disruptions caused by the Red Sea crisis.

Drewry has underscored the continued robustness of merger and acquisition (M&A) activity within the port and terminal sector, with three potential deals emerging as focal points of industry attention.

Cold chains have come under enormous pressure over the past four years, with operators and customers alike hoping for a more normal trading environment in 2024.

Drewry’s latest research on the seaborne reefer market forecasts that traffic volumes will decline for the second year in a row. A modest recovery is expected in 2024.

While the majority of terminal concessions are extended or renewed with their incumbent operators, there is a noticeable increase in the number that are expiring and being retendered by port authorities.