LABOUR DISPUTE RESOLUTION BOOSTS ASIA-USEC TRADES

摘要

Containerisation International's research predicts load factors picking up from their tow point of 75% in first quarter 2013 to 82% and 95% in the second and third quarter periods, respectively Africa is a volatile market and of all the regions in the continent. West Africa is the most unstable as trade is determined to a large extent on the level of demand for, hence revenue from, bulk, mineral and oil exports. Another important factor is individual countries' political stability, which can often translate into industrial unrest and economic meltdown. This makes accurate forecasting of freight rates extremely difficult, particularly as demand can change sharply. Fundamentally though, the elements are strong and, after a difficult second half 2012, a significant recovery in cargo volumes is projected by Containerisation International this year. In fact, after a strong start to 2013, traffic levels could rise as much as 18% this year, although 15% is thought to be a more likely option. This would push annualised volumes to somewhere between 1.3m teu and 1.4m teu.