Drewry's Global Container Terminal Operators Annual Report 2017, now in its 15th year of publication, states that major merger and acquisition (M&A) deals are changing the landscape, with more to come.The consultants's container port demand forecast is more positive than in last year's report, exhibiting a 4 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and adding a further 152 million TEU of port throughput to the global total by 2021. This is a consequence of improved port throughput growth rates in the second half of 2016 and into 2017, and a more positive general global economic outlook.
However, there remain numerous risks and uncertainties at present, including tensions in the Middle East and Korean peninsula, the protectionist and unpredictable stance of the US administration, and the impact of Brexit. This is perhaps one reason why the global container port capacity is projected to increase by a CAGR of 2.7 per cent, based on confirmed additions only. This is markedly lower than the forecast demand, and hence, average utilisation levels are expected to rise.
Drewry's senior analyst for ports and terminals, Neil Davidson, said: "While there are certainly some encouraging signs for the demand growth outlook, the risk profile for terminal operators has increased and most of the traditional global/international players remain cautious. The exception to this is the Chinese port companies who are pursuing expansion and investment both at home and overseas in an unprecedentedly aggressive manner."
M&A activity in the port sector is at a high level. About US$3.1 billion worth of deals have been struck so far in 2017, driven by Chinese companies such as Cosco Shipping Ports and China Merchants Ports. In the last year, more than half of the acquisitions by global/international terminal operators have been made by Chinese players, according to the e-news magazine Maritime Logistics Professional.
"The Chinese players are more comfortable with risk than the established international operators right now, and have a geo-political strategy rather than a purely financial one. They are snapping up assets and opportunities and have the appetite and financial clout to take many more in the coming years," added Mr Davidson.
However, there remain numerous risks and uncertainties at present, including tensions in the Middle East and Korean peninsula, the protectionist and unpredictable stance of the US administration, and the impact of Brexit. This is perhaps one reason why the global container port capacity is projected to increase by a CAGR of 2.7 per cent, based on confirmed additions only. This is markedly lower than the forecast demand, and hence, average utilisation levels are expected to rise.
Drewry's senior analyst for ports and terminals, Neil Davidson, said: "While there are certainly some encouraging signs for the demand growth outlook, the risk profile for terminal operators has increased and most of the traditional global/international players remain cautious. The exception to this is the Chinese port companies who are pursuing expansion and investment both at home and overseas in an unprecedentedly aggressive manner."
M&A activity in the port sector is at a high level. About US$3.1 billion worth of deals have been struck so far in 2017, driven by Chinese companies such as Cosco Shipping Ports and China Merchants Ports. In the last year, more than half of the acquisitions by global/international terminal operators have been made by Chinese players, according to the e-news magazine Maritime Logistics Professional.
"The Chinese players are more comfortable with risk than the established international operators right now, and have a geo-political strategy rather than a purely financial one. They are snapping up assets and opportunities and have the appetite and financial clout to take many more in the coming years," added Mr Davidson.