Panama Canal Explains Impact of Expansion Program
PCA is meeting with clients, government officials, and maritime authorities from China, Japan, and South Korea to reaffirm its relationship with customers and explain the impact of the Panama Canal expansion program in Asia. China (second), Japan (fourth), and South Korea (fifth) are among the top five users of the Panama Canal. In Shanghai, the representation of the Panama Canal had contact with directors of China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL), and while in Beijing they met Captain Wei Jiafu, President of COSCO Group Company and other executives of the firm. "These direct contacts allow us to know first-hand what our customers and users of the Panama Canal think, with the goal of always providing quality service to uphold the competitiveness of the Panama route," added Alemán Zubieta.
Container Shipping Conference – Shanghai Agenda Promulgated
Drewry Shipping Consultants estimate that container shipping lines collectively lost $5.2 billion in 2011. To thrive in 2012, the industry will have to tackle declining rates and a potentially chaotic round of mergers and acquisitions. Business leaders will discuss the potential scenarios and predictions for the upcoming year at UBM Global Trade's JOC Container Shipping Conference ShanghaiJune 4-5 at the Sheraton Shanghai Hongkou Hotel. Some analysts, including SeaIntel's Lars Jensen, believe that container shipping rates have bottomed out and the worst of the declines may have come and gone. Others in the industry anticipate that the largest carriers will continue to build market share and use their financial muscle to drive smaller carriers out of key markets like Asia-Europe…
