News / Redundant panamax boxships no use on growing intra-Asia trades

China’s container growth on shortsea tradelanes is outpacing stagnant long-haul services, potentially creating a trend from transhipment towards more direct calls at Asian ports.

However, that growth is unlikely to lead to any increase in the use of panamax vessels.

According to Seabury maritime director Michel Looten, China’s shortsea trades with South-east Asia and India are driving growth, while volumes on the main east-west trades to Europe and the US are static.

“This will have two main consequences for the industry,” he told the TPM ...