Container shipping consolidation “a route to survival” but not if customers are lost in the process

© Philipmorch

According to Drewry there is more benefit in container lines pursuing growth through acquisition “rather than continuing to build new and larger tonnage, which the industry does not need”.

In a new white paper, Consolidation in the liner industry, the authors consider the merits, and pitfalls, of M&A activity within container shipping, but cautioned that strategy needs to be carefully through through.

After a near-decade’s lull in significant M&A activity, 2014 saw Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd acquire Chilean carrier CSAV, closely followed by compatriot ...