News / 2019 a better year for container lines as rates rose and fuel prices fell

Some good news: the ebit margins of ocean carriers improved in 2019, according to an Alphaliner survey, with just two out of the top 10 lines that publish their results recording negative operating profits.

“The carriers’ financial results were positively impacted by higher freight rates and lower bunker fuel prices,” said the consultant.

It noted that average contract rates, as published by the China Containerized Freight Index (CCFI), a composite of spot and contract rates, were 0.6% higher last year than in ...