Clarkson predicts 2016 peak season will grow 3.8pc in global box volume
GLOBAL container trade is projected to expand 3.8 per cent year-on-year - 181.6 million TEU in 2016, following estimated growth of just 2.2 per cent in 2015, according to Clarksons shipbrokers in London.
"This acceleration is partly projected to be supported by an expected rise in peak leg Far East-Europe volumes, which fell 3.1 per cent in 2015," said its Container Intelligence Monthly.
"Meanwhile, the pace of intra-Asian trade growth is projected to pick up to reach 4.4 per cent this year, following sluggish growth of three per cent in 2015, reflecting signs of firm expansion in trade so far this year," it said.
"Non Mainland East-West box trade is expected to continue to grow robustly in 2016 supported by strong import demand in the Indian subcontinent. However, north-south box trade growth looks set to be relatively subdued in full-year 2016 due to the continued impact of relatively depressed commodity prices," it said.
Indicators of trade from Asia to South America and Africa suggest a decline in volume so far this year. The IMF has recently revised down its GDP growth forecast for sub-Saharan Africa, said Clarksons.
GLOBAL container trade is projected to expand 3.8 per cent year-on-year - 181.6 million TEU in 2016, following estimated growth of just 2.2 per cent in 2015, according to Clarksons shipbrokers in London.
"This acceleration is partly projected to be supported by an expected rise in peak leg Far East-Europe volumes, which fell 3.1 per cent in 2015," said its Container Intelligence Monthly.
"Meanwhile, the pace of intra-Asian trade growth is projected to pick up to reach 4.4 per cent this year, following sluggish growth of three per cent in 2015, reflecting signs of firm expansion in trade so far this year," it said.
"Non Mainland East-West box trade is expected to continue to grow robustly in 2016 supported by strong import demand in the Indian subcontinent. However, north-south box trade growth looks set to be relatively subdued in full-year 2016 due to the continued impact of relatively depressed commodity prices," it said.
Indicators of trade from Asia to South America and Africa suggest a decline in volume so far this year. The IMF has recently revised down its GDP growth forecast for sub-Saharan Africa, said Clarksons.