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The container port business has expanded by more than 10 per cent annually
over the past 15 years and, fuelled by the globalisation of the world
economy, this process is set to continue according to UK-based Ocean
Shipping Consultants (OSC).
A new OSC study, Marketing of Container Terminals, says that even its
“cautious” forecasts indicate that port demand will at least double to 2015,
with around 650 million TEUs handled in the world’s ports by then.
OSC says: “This process places great strains not simply on the provision of
new and better container terminals, but also underlines the importance of
maximised returns on these massive investments.”
Depending on economic conditions, world container port demand is forecast to
increase by 60 per cent to 495 million TEU in 2010 and by a further 32 per
cent 647 million TEU in 2015.
Total East Asian container port demand is expected to continue expanding at
an above-average rate, with 63 per cent growth predicted over 2003-10 to 240
milion TEU.
In the Americas, growth of 55 per cent is forecast over the same period to
91 million TEU in 2010, with Latin America and the Caribbean continuing to
generate above-average expansion.
In Europe and the Mediterranean, a 45 per cent rise is anticipated to 106
million TEU in 2010. Both the North Europe and South Europe/Mediterranean
regions will experience similar growth rates, with the Baltic markets
continuing to generate above-average growth and transshipment demand in
North Europe growing strongly.
In other markets sustained growth is also forecast, with the Middle East and
Indian subcontinent generating the most rapid expansion. |
