Trends in Container Shipping: Proceedings of the ISL Maritime Conference 2008- 9 th and 10 th of December, World Trade Center Bremen

by Burkhard Lemper (Editor), Burkhard Lemper (Editor), Manfred Zachcial (Editor)

In the tradition of the Liner Shipping Conferences in the eighties, the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics organised again a Maritime Conference in Bremen. The aim of the conference in December 2008 was to analyse and to forecast the trends and perspectives of the international container shipping market. The international shipping industry and the global container shipping market have recently seen some of the most successful years in history. Excellent employment and high charter rates initiated a very strong order boom, especially in the highest size classes of 8.000 TEU to 12.000 TEU vessels and beyond. This development of accelerated fleet expansion met a cooling down period in global economy as a consequence of the worldwide financial crisis. The implications for the international trade markets have also affected the shipping industry and the container shipping market. Against this background the main topics of the Maritime Conference 2008 World economy, trade and shipping; vessel size development and its implications; implications of market growth on ports and hinterland; financing and taxation aspects.

154 pages, Hardcover

First published November 6, 2009

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all know the story. At first you're all, like, Hong Kong is totally going to beat up on Singapore in terms of container throughput. And you'd be right; Hong Kong totally does beat up on Singapore in the container throughput arena. But is container throughput the only measure by which we judge shipping container trends? Hell no! You've got hinterland traffic to look at, direct and indirect employment factors, talent, poise, makeup, and that volatile unknown: answers to judges questions.

Critics might argue that judging trends in container shipping should focus strictly on economic and maritime factors, such as "containerization" and how the industry affects the socio-economic development of the region as a whole. But again I say NO! What about The Barcelona Process? What about cosmetic changes to shipping container exteriors? And how about the now infamous Port of Gioia Tauro imbroglio in the south of Italy (was it rigged?).

I guess what I'm trying to say here, dear readers, is that you can't go into this book with a bunch of preconceived notions about where you think container shipping is going. A lot has changed since 2008. You think you know everything about open registry flags? Well, you don't. Read this book to open your mind, to break out of your Puritan brainwashing, to stimulate and perhaps change those old ways of thinking.

I highly recommend reading the 2008 proceedings before proceeding to the 2012 proceedings. Understanding the zeitgeist of 2008 prepares the reader for the mind-blowing emotional spiral that is the 2012 report. Boobs.