Slow cascading, an increase in ships sizes and a shift in cargo from US west coast to east coast ports have been some of the major trends on the transatlantic trade. WSP technical director Dean Davison tells CST the trade generally remains stable, with capacity growth last year of 2.5%. Nevertheless, the trade lane has been experiencing a cascading effect leading to an increase in tonnage size. Mr Davison says, "Shipping lines continue to concentrate on major East-West trades to the detriment of all others, but the cascade of tonnage is still happening with the transatlantic services. Cascading will continue, with the average ship size rising from 5,000 TEU now, with more vessels in the 8-10,000 TEU size class being deployed."
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