CMB orders eight 6,000 TEU vessels

That was the message of Stefan Verberckmoes, senior analyst at Alphaliner, in a keynote address delivered at the Intermodal Europe 2023 show being held in Amsterdam

The second Sustainability Award presented by the port of Antwerp has gone to the Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB), for its “Hydroville” shuttle, the first passenger vessel to be powered by hydrogen

That is how Stefan Verberckmoes, shipping analyst and editor for North Europe at research group Alphaliner, views the current state of the liner shipping industry.

Almost two years after the opening of the new locks on the expanded Panama Canal, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced that larger ships will be able to transit the artery. The authority has also increased the number of daily transit slots for Neo-Panamax class tonnage.

Alphaliner and Drewry Maritime Research are among analysts raising their growth forecasts for 2017. Based on trading performances to the late summer, and evidence gleaned from the market about future prospects, they expect global container trade to grow in the 5.5% to 6.6% range this year. Projections made at the end of 2016/17 suggested volumes would rise by 4% to 5%.

In a recent webinar, London-based Drewy Maritime Advisors pointed to a stronger 2017 for liner shipping companies with volumes and freight rates both expected to pick up during the course of the year.