News / Positive operating margins as most box carriers steam into calmer waters in Q3

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A strong peak season, underpinned by lower operating costs, were the drivers of an improvement in operating margins in the third quarter of the year to an average of 3.3%, from just 0.5% in the previous three-month period, according to Alphaliner’s analysis of the published results of 15 major ocean carriers.

The analyst said high utilisation levels on east-west and intra-Asia routes had helped container lines to retain at least part of their general rate increases (GRIs) during the quarter.

In addition, ...