North-south trade cargo analysis

摘要

The good news for ocean carriers serving the north-south trades covered below is that consumption in the northern hemisphere continues to be robust, and is expected to remain so for some time to come. Exporters of raw materials in West Africa, Oceania, Latin America and South East Asia should be kept busy, therefore. This contrasts sharply with concerns expressed last year, when the price of crude oil peaked at just over USD70/bbl and the US housing market appeared to be under threat. Political stability in the Middle East remains an issue, but, according to the OECD, further economic expansion of the OECD region lies ahead.