Analysis: an exciting year for container shipping – meltdown or milk and honey?

© Vladimir Serebryanskiy

What a difference a year can make. Twelve months ago, I was bearish on the container shipping industry. Today I feel mildly bullish, thanks to the correction in both bunker prices and the public market values of the shares and bonds of the major operators.

There are caveats, though, because of what 2019 could have in store – more substantial layoffs than last year, as greater efficiency is sought by most carriers (this is implied in their stated mid-term plans); another ...