Daily Briefing December 11 2017
As the latest edition of Lloyd’s List Containers went to press, the great consolidation game is probably about over for 2017. But there will likely be more to come
In today's briefing
Top stories:
Brexit 'breakthrough' is just the beginning, maritime industry says
Opinion:
Markets:
Nigeria leads suezmax tanker rally as Opec exemption nears end
Analysis:
Cape rates to soften on falling iron ore price
In brief:
Former Hanjin chairwoman jailed for insider trading
Globus Maritime narrows losses as dry bulk market trends higher
Yang Ming completes capital increase for 2017
South Korea eyes nine LNG carriers from domestic shipbuilders
Frew renews BIMCO role for further term
WWL buys heavy equipment transportation company from private equity firm
Exmar offloads FSRU stakes to Excelerate
Teekay Tankers appoints new chief financial officer
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Putting the pieces together
AS THE latest edition of Lloyd's List Containers went to press, Maersk completed its takeover of Hamburg Sd, Hapag-Lloyd said it had finished the integration of United Arab Shipping Co and CMA CGM announced it was to merge two of its subsidiaries, MacAndrews and OPDR, into one unit from the beginning of next year.
For 2017, that is probably about it in terms of the great consolidation game. But there will likely be more to come.
On the carrier front, there are still a number of lines whose survival as independent operators looks challenging in the face of their now much larger rivals. And there are still those out there with pockets deep enough to make acquisitions, particularly in China.
While rumours are always met with denials, few will be surprised if next year unleashes a few more names being knocked off the list of global carriers.
Non-operating owners are also ripe for consolidation.
Rapidly growing Norwegian owner MPC Container Ships has stepped into the ring with the acquisition of a number of fundraising deals recently. It has been acquiring vessels at a rapid rate since its launch in April. But as Claus Peter Offen points out, up to 90% of German owners could disappear from the market before too long.
The other area in which consolidation is yet to take place, but feasibly could, is in ports and terminals.
As carriers restructure their alliance networks and try to save costs by using terminals in which they have equity stakes, the future of independent terminal operators is coming under scrutiny. There are unconfirmed reports that Global Container Terminals could be put up for sale by its Canadian pension fund owner. Elsewhere, the inefficiencies of the multiple terminal operations in ports such as Long Beach and Los Angeles are well known.
Ports themselves could also operate more collaboratively. While issues of sovereignty mean full mergers between ports are unlikely, there is little to stop greater cooperation between neighbouring ports in the same country and in some cases in adjoining countries.
As we head towards another interesting year in container shipping, it is likely we can expect more of what we have seen in 2017, even if the news will be slightly less dramatic than that of the past two years.
Top stories:
Top 10 Flag states 2017
AS WE count down to the release of the annual Lloyd's List Top 100 most influential people in shipping - on December 15 - we showcase two big losers and one grand winner in the quest for world fleet control.
Panama maintains its dominance as the world's biggest registry, but Lloyd's List Intelligence data reveals this year has been among its worst.
Brexit 'breakthrough' is just the beginning, maritime industry says
LEADING maritime associations in the UK gave a cautious welcome to the government's deal with the European Union over Brexit, which moved the parties a step closer to the start of all-important trade talks.
UK maritime industry bodies have repeatedly expressed their concern over the uncertainty caused by protracted negotiations and political bickering. "We need as much certainty and clarity as possible, as soon as possible," said the UK Chamber of Shipping.
Opinion:
The numbers game
THE topic of "safe manning" is something that can give rise to lots of controversy once you start to assess the definition of "safe", writes Michael Grey.
It is, for a start, more than a numbers game and while a safe manning certificate may specify the various skills that are required, it might be suggested that this is very much a minimum requirement.
Analysis:
Cape rates to soften on falling iron ore price
THE strength of the capesize market during the second half of 2017 has been driven by two key factors: a smaller fleet because scrapping and a rise in iron ore shipments.
However, things may be changing. The price being paid for iron ore in China has started to plunge, which could cause a sharp cutback in chartering activity. Inventory levels in the ports are reported to be near all-time highs.
Markets
Nigeria leads suezmax tanker rally as Opec exemption nears end
SUEZMAX tanker earnings have rallied on the back of healthy exports from Nigeria, the member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries that keeps pumping out oil before its exemption from the supply reduction deal ends.
Based on the lastest supply agreement reached at the end of November, the West African country will cap next year's production at 2017's level, joining Opec and some Russia-led producers' efforts to cut output by 1.8m barrels per day until the end of 2018.
Read the full report here
In brief
Former Hanjin chairwoman jailed for insider trading
SOUTH Korea's Seoul Southern District Court sentenced former Hanjin Shipping chairwoman Choi Eun-young to prison for insider trading.
Globus Maritime narrows losses as dry bulk market trends higher
NASDAQ-listed Globus Maritime managed to shrink its net losses in the three months ended September 30, as the dry bulk shipping market continues to trend higher.
Yang Ming completes capital increase for 2017
YANG Ming Marine Transport concluded its capital raising plans for 2017 following the completion of a second private share placement.
South Korea eyes nine LNG carriers from domestic shipbuilders
SOUTH Korea's Ministry of Strategy and Finance said it plans to order up to nine liquefied natural gas carriers from domestic shipbuilders by 2021 in a move that would help the country's ailing shipbuilding companies.
Frew renews BIMCO role for further term
ANGUS Frew will serve another term as secretary-general of industry lobby group BIMCO, with a focus on environmental issues.
WWL buys heavy equipment transportation company from private equity firm
WALLENIUS Wilhelmsen Logistics has signed a deal to purchase US heavy-haul logistics firm Keen Transport from a private equity player as it tries to gain a stronger foothold in the high and heavy cargo shipping and transportation market.
Exmar offloads FSRU stakes to Excelerate
BELGIUM-based Exmar has completed the sale of its stakes in four floating storage regasification units to Excelerate Energy as part of its plan to offload its entire FSRU business and lower its debt levels.
Teekay Tankers appoints new chief financial officer
NEW York-listed Teekay Tankers has appointed Stewart Andrade its new chief financial officer.
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