Don't blame external forces; exert some discipline

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• Shippers' Voice

  July 15, 2011 at 8:03 am

  Hi Alex

  I had my own concerns recently (Shippers' Voice Light,28th June) that the optimistic voices on demand growth from carriers and IATA (echoed, coincidentally in the liner shipping sector) did not match some of the key economic indicators coming out last month. Shipping and air freight saw big increases in new orders for ships and planes when the profits started to come in during 2010 which blinded them from medium term reality somewhat. The liner shipping sector has started to cut some services; I suspect it may be only a matter of time before we see something similar in the air freight sector – perhaps you are closer to the sector than I to judge that.

  Shippers and carriers do need to get closer together to assess demand and corporate strategies. Sure, mistakes will be made even then, but it might help prevent the boom and bust we keep on seeing, that does nobody any good in the long term.

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