News / A window of opportunity for 'challenger box carriers' to make hay – for now

© Jordan Tan

Challenger ocean carriers Wan Hai, SM Line and Zim have taken full advantage of the insatiable demand from US consumers for Asian imports to substantially grow their transpacific capacity.

Moreover, with a relatively lower ratio of contracted business than their alliance peers, the trio have been able to fill their additional slots with more lucrative spot cargo, thus significantly increasing the profitability of each voyage.

From 1 January to 1 August, Taiwan’s Wan Hai, South Korea’s SM Line and Israel’s Zim recorded ...