Growth in the global economy and containerized transportation by sea in 2013 was slightly below the level of the previous year. Once again, available global slot capacity outpaced container transport volume as deliveries continue to exceed the level of scrappage, which also increased. As a consequence of the continuing overcapacity, freight rates in most trades remained under pressure or declined still further. The only positive support came from fuel prices, which have fallen slightly from the highest level of the previous year.