Asia-Europe container rise in December signals upturn /18.02.2010

ASIA-EUROPE container volumes grew nearly 10 per cent in December year on year, the biggest monthly increase in 2009, reports the European Liner Affairs Association (ELAA), which replaces the now-banned Far East Freight Conference as the industry association on the trade lane.

Westbound volumes to Europe from Asia rose 9.4 per cent in December 2009 to 1.105 million TEU from 1.009 million TEU in December 2008, said the ELAA. December was the second month-on-month rise in 2009 after November, which posted a 2.5 per cent rise.
"Westbound December 2009 recorded the highest monthly figure for 2009, breaking the million box mark for the first time in 2009," the ELAA said in a statement.

The ELAA said it should be noted that the December figure was being compared with December 2008, "a time the shipping industry was dipping deep into recession", reported Reuters.
"December shows that the trade is coming back," Rod Riseborough of the ELAA told Reuters.
Container volume for the fourth quarter was down 0.05 per cent at 3.029 million TEU versus 3.031 million TEUs in the same period in 2008.

Total year-on-year volumes on the westbound Asia route to Europe in 2009 were down 14.7 per cent at 11.501 million TEU versus 13.494 million TEU in 2008. The ELAA said eastbound trade from Europe to Asia jumped 46.9 per cent year on year in December to 543,286 TEU - the highest monthly volume in 2009 and 2008. Volume rose 30.1 per cent in the fourth quarter versus a year ago and was up 4.5 per cent for the whole of 2009 versus 2008. "The big growth is east bound and it is very substantial," said Mr Riseborough, adding that it was largely in paper and plastics exports from Europe.

The Paris-based Alphaliner agency said there was increased optimism among operators in the liner sector, but added there was still significant overcapacity, which would continue to "put pressure on charter rates."

Shipping Gazette