News / After a poor first quarter, container lines are on course for a profitable year

15/06/2017

After a very disappointing first quarter for the liner industry, attributed mainly to higher bunker prices, container lines are busy counting the dollars in what is expected to be a highly profitable second quarter.

Investment banker Jefferies yesterday issued notes to investors with “buy” ratings for both Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, based on “improving industry fundamentals”.

It said: “Industry consolidation has led to a 16% higher share of the top six carriers at 67%, with only three east-west shipping alliances. This has led to ...