News / Trading outlook for second half looking grim for container lines

© Nexus7

Container lines are concerned about the deteriorating trading outlook for the second half of the year as tighter monetary policies dampen consumer demand.

A subdued peak season, followed by a lengthy slack period, prompting further rate erosion, will wreak havoc on the balance sheets of carriers heavily exposed to east-west trades.

They will need every last dollar of the legacy profits achieved in the first quarter to avoid finishing the full year in the red.

Indeed, container lines are already said to be ...