The M&A window of opportunity is wide open
The bigger the better, on merit
By Mike Wackett
Singapore-based Pacific International Lines (PIL) could be the next container line to appear on the acquisition radar of the mega-carriers.
According to Alphaliner, PIL’s niche status, particularly on the improving Africa trades, could make it “an attractive target for buyers”, and now that Cosco has snapped up OOCL it is “the only unencumbered candidate”.
Alphaliner noted that, unlike the other three remaining mid-scale carriers with a share of global capacity of 1.5%-2.8%, Yang Ming, HMM and Zim, PIL is not government-linked.
Furthermore, PIL has an ...
Comment on this article
christine Glenn
July 21, 2017 at 10:18 ammost shipping lines have stretched themselves too far by opening their own offices worldwide, especially countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and srilanka, without understanding the culture. the services have gone bad to worse. every staff feels they are unaccountable. if they revert back to dealing with agents it will be good. atleast the agents are on their toes all the time. now the principals can monitor the accounting to ensure no malpratices and they provide good service to the clients.
Mike Wackett
July 21, 2017 at 2:18 pmA very interesting point Christine.
As an ex liner agent, then principal, I would argue that the brand advantage of having own offices is often outweighed by the economics.
If a ship doesn’t call the agent doesn’t get paid; but own offices have to be paid for regardless.
Given that carriers have pretty much cut other costs to the bone, appointing a good agent and closing own offices in certain regions could be a silver bullet for a savvy carrier.