Marine Transportation Demand News

Marine transport advisors, McQuilling Services, give an insight into how they forecast the development of tanker demand, which is a constituent part of their recently published '2014-2018 Tanker Market Outlook' report. At a global level, marine transportation demand is related to world trade, which is directly related to the state of the world economy. This means that demand for crude oil and petroleum products grows with an expanding global economy. Marine transportation demand for tankers is a derived demand. It arises from the energy consumption requirements of regional economies.

Kirby Corporation (NYSE:KEX) announced net earnings for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009 of $33.7 million, or $.63 per share, compared with net earnings of $40.3 million, or $.74 per share, for the 2008 second quarter. Kirby's published 2009 second quarter guidance range was $.52 to $.62 per share. Consolidated revenues for the 2009 second quarter were $272.7 million compared with $348.3 million reported for the 2008 second quarter. Joe Pyne, Kirby's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The decline in our marine transportation and diesel engine services demand reflects a difficult economic environment. Our 2009 first quarter actions focused on early retirements, staff reductions, cost reductions and efficiency initiatives.