Container Shipping |
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The arrival of air travel and the
impact of the containerisation revolution on the nature of shipping
rendered the ocean liner obsolete in the 1960s and 70s. Air travel
replaced their scheduled passenger voyages, while container ships
fundamentally changed the nature of the shipping industry and replaced
the cargo operations associated with ocean liners. As a result the
ocean liners had to adapt or disappear forever and they evolved into
full time cruise liners and thus was born the modern cruise industry.
Like many 20th century
innovations, containers were born out of a sense
of urgency. First used by the U.S. government during the war, they
proved the ideal means of quickly and efficiently unloading and
distributing supplies, which was of paramount importance at the time.
Instead of shipping commodities in bulk, army and navy specialists
began to mix cargo by loading freight onto pallets, then loading the
pallets into specially constructed "boxes". For the private sector,
containers held the promise of secure, dry
storage of cargo and controlled climates and added shelf life for
perishables. Yet, despite favourable reports about the use of
containers, the concept of containerisation seemed far-fetched to all
but the most forward-thinking in the early 1950s. For the container to
succeed, ships would have to be modified.
Likewise, ports and inland transport systems around the world
would have to be upgraded to meet a new standard. Industry leaders, as
well as customers, were sceptical. Before this advance, cargo was
literally manhandled. Cranes with slings
unloaded crates onto pallets. Dockers then muscled the crates into
place, and forklifts moved the pallets to warehouses. Damage and delays
were common. Containerisation changed all that forever.
American President Lines was an early
pioneer and soon saw the tremendous potential
for the efficiency afforded by this basic tool of trade. In addition,
APL was a leader in the research and development of controlled
temperature containers. These "reefers" now make it possible to
transport goods like climate-sensitive film and perishable seafood all
over the world. Today the containerisation revolution has taken over
the world and is the dominant form of ocean transport.
In 1965 Atlantic Container
Line (ACL) was formed as a container shipping consortium with the
partners being Cunard Line, CGT French Line, Holland America Line,
Swedish American Line, Transatlantic Redereii and Wallenius Lines.
Atlantic Container Line (ACL) was designed to serve the trade between Europe and East Coast of North America. The Atlantic Span, was the first of ACL's four G-1 (first generation) container vessels. These 700 TEU Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) container ships were the most unique in the world and dramatically change the concept of transport. From 1969 to 1970 with the introduction of the first computerized intermodal transport system "Route Code," ACL offers shippers a door-to-door service that continuously updates through-transport tariffs for repeat shipments. Six, 900 TEU, G-2 (second generation) RORO/Containerships are added to ACL's fleet, increasing it to ten vessels. ACL became the only ocean carrier to handle both containerized and uncontainerized cargo with multiple sailings each week to/from every major port in Europe. From 1971-73 ACL introduced its simplified alternative to the bill of lading, "Datafreight Receipt," the first electronically transmitted documentation system. Providing customers with added-value inland transport services in North America, ACL forms a wholly owned trucking company for improved short haul trucking capabilities and its own container and chassis maintenance and repair operation. From 1975-78 ACL pioneers SPEED (Europe) and COMPASS (North America), the first "real time" computer system in the transportation industry. Also the G-1 vessels are lengthened, increasing capacity to 1100 TEUs and ACL introduces a direct service to the Canadian ports of Montreal and Halifax. In 1984/5 ACL introduces five, newly constructed ACL G-3 (third generation) RORO/Containerships, the largest of their kind in the world (2160 TEUs), on the North Atlantic service. The G-3s are fuel efficient and highly flexible for a wide mix of cargoes. Meanwhile the older G-2 vessels are phased out and scrapped. In 1986/7 as part of an overall rationalization program on the North Atlantic, ACL enters a space sharing and charter agreement with Hapag-Lloyd. Focusing on long-term corporate strategies and successful growth, ACL restructures its US operations. Also a subsidiary is formed to operate ACL's non-shipping sector in trucking, maintenance & repair, container storage, liner agency and stevedoring services. At this time the G-3 vessels are lengthened (G-3L) to 292 meters increasing capacity to 3,100 TEUs and the older G-1 vessels are phased out and scrapped. In 1990 the original owning consortium is dissolved and Transatlantic, a member of the Bilspedition Group, acquires 100% ownership of Atlantic Container Line. In the 1990s ACL streamlines its operations, concentrating solely on its core North Atlantic market. Support services (trucking, stevedoring and M&R) and support functions (documentation, EDP, accounting and logistics) in the US and Canada are outsourced. Slot exchanges with other container lines increase weekly sailings between North America and Europe. In 1995 ACL modifies schedules to improve transit times and reliability. ACL also purchases Atlantic Conveyor from Cunard. Finally the Atlantic Compass becomes the first oceangoing cargo vessel to be certified by the Swedish National Maritime Administration under the ISM Code (International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention). In 1996 ACL acquires full ownership of its fleet and prepares for the internet revolution with the launch of its website and in 1997 ACL celebrates its 30th Anniversary having launched container shipping services in 1967. In 2000 Grimaldi Group, Naples becomes the largest ACL shareholder with 44%. All 5 vessels completed dry-docking in Brest. Additional new service increases ACL's portfolio to 7 weekly transatlantic sailings. ACL sold their stake of 49.5% in Columbus Intermodal Joint Venture. In 2001 ACL started a new, weekly Container/RORO transshipment service from North America to West Africa. The Grimaldi Group's shareholding exceeded the 45% threshold and launched a mandatory bid for all the outstanding shares at NOK 97 per share, then increased its stake in ACL to 81%, and then to 91%. ACL started a new, weekly RORO transshipment service between North America and the Mediterranean. In 2002 ACL is delisted from the Oslo Stock Exchange where it had been since 1994. In 2007 ACL becomes a wholly owned unit of The Grimaldi Group and at the same time ACL celebrates 40 years of service. Atlantic Container Line (ACL) http://www.aclcargo.com/
In 1966 Overseas Containers Ltd (OCL) was formed as a container shipping consortium with the partners being British & Commonwealth Shipping Group, the Alfred Holt Group (parent company of Blue Funnel, Glen Line and Elder Dempster), P&O Group and the Furness Withy Group. The new container shipping company, Overseas Containers Ltd (OCL), was one of the British pioneers of container shipping.
In 1968 Associated Container Transportation (ACT) was formed as a container shipping consortium with the partners being Ellerman Group, Blue Star Line, Ben Line, Harrison Lines and Cunard (Port Line).
Associated Container
Transportation (ACT) received their first new container ship - the ACT
1 - in 1968. The Europe to Australasia services started in October 1969
as part of the AECS (Australia Europe container service) in
collaboration with the consortium Overseas Containers Ltd and shipping
companies such as Australian National Line out of Melbourne and they
were pioneers in reefer container ships with refrigerated containers
for the lucractive meat trade out of Australia. Associated Container
Transportation (ACT) left AECS in mid 1972 jointly with the Australian
National Line in order to create their own service. In May 1977
after the delivery of the Australian Venture series of container ship,
both companies once again joined the AECS service between Australia /
New Zealand and Europe. New Zealand was also included from 1978/79 and
thus it became the ANZECS (Australia New Zealand Express container
service). ACT was discontinued as a company in 1991 and all its ships
were sold or transferred. ACT 1, ACT 2 and ACT 7 were sold to P&O
Containers Ltd and renamed Discovery Bay, Moreton Bay and Palliser Bay
respectively. ACT 3, ACT 4, ACT 5, ACT 6 and ACT 10 were sold to Blue
Star Line. In 1998 Blue Star Line was acquired by P&O Group
and these ships continued to sail under P&O but retaining their
Blue Star livery. In 2003 the America Star which was the last of these
in service was retired and sold for scrap. Thus ending the traditions
and legacy of Blue Star Line and ACT.
By the late 1960s and
into the 1970s most of the major shipping companies had embraced the
containerisation revolution.
In the 1980s the concept of intermodalism
was developed. this expansion
on the concept of containerisation would not only bring
the transport industry into the present, but would also greatly
facilitate future growth.
Today, the world's vast intermodal network supports an environment in which shipments are in almost perpetual motion. The result has been a significant increase in the volume of shipments moving through this efficient system and a world-wide rise in commercial activity. Today's huge container ships are loaded and discharged at state-of-the-art terminals, where thousands of containers of valuable commodities are then efficiently transferred to dockside trains that carry them to myriad inland destinations and ultimately to today's consumers. The containerisation revolution therefore has reached the road haulage and rail industries and the result is intermodal transport via a seamless worldwide network. In a sense, the revolution in cargo handling that began in the 1950s with the advent of the container has come full circle. A simple idea has grown into the complex, worldwide intermodal network delivers the many products we all use nearly every day.
Globalisation is changing the world.
Business is now operating on a completely new global scale and this is
leading to consolidation in many industries whereby fewer, larger
companies take an increasing share of global business. Many industries
and market sectors are affected by globalisation including transport,
logistics, cruising, holidays & tourism, retail, manufacturing etc.
This consolidation on a global scale is resulting in larger assets such
as container ships and aircraft. For example giant container ships are
increasingly become the standard used on world trade routes. Then in
aviation there is the development of giant aircraft such as the Airbus
A380. Logistics activities are becoming centred and clustered around
key hubs. Global transport and logistic companies located at these hubs
are increasingly aiming to provide a seamless intermodal integrated
service linking sea, air, rail, road and inland waterways. To the
customer it is one service.
In today's globalised and fast
paced world of international trade, business is defined and redefined
every second via the revolution that is the internet and information
technology. This high speed information exchange is in part responsible
for today's growth of international trade. If the basic, yet powerful
concept of connecting people and products
via the physical movement of goods is the hardware of the shipping
business,
information is the software that makes it run. And it’s the ability to
combine assets and ideas - hardware and software - to meet each
customer’s transport goals that enables a company to move beyond
its history to prosper in the future. The embracing of information
technology by container shipping lines is the final element in the
containerisation revolution. As
a result customers
in today's internet age can now access up-to-the-minute information on
websites.
Make no mistake, customers are using this information as never before.
They print bills of lading, trace shipments, and get information in
real time via today's IT technology. Thus many container shipping
companies today provide
customers
around the world with container transport services through a network
combining high quality intermodal operations with state of the art
information technology. By
combining world-class seamless intermodal operations
with
leading-edge IT and e-commerce capabilities, container shipping
companies provide their customers with the
full range of transport solutions, including seamless door-to-door
services.
Thus containerisation is a global system
of intermodal cargo transport using
standardised containers, which can be loaded and sealed intact onto
container ships, railroad cars, planes and trucks. Prior to the
introduction of containerisation, cargo handling for sea transportation
was both time consuming and expensive. Containers have changed that
fundamentally. Transport is now safer and more affordable than ever
before.
Container freight transport or
containerisation is the movement of goods in standardised shipping
containers that are loaded onto container ships, road trucks and rail
wagons.
Dedicated container ships were first
introduced in the late 1960s when the container shipping and ports
industry realised the vast potential of the container transport method.
Huge investment was made into vessels, container terminals and onward
haulage methods which continues today. As standards in container size
and fixings were adopted, containerisation enabled a revolution in
freight shipping transport.
The container freight market has undergone rapid growth and significant changes in recent years. Transporting goods by container has now become an increasingly inexpensive method of moving freight. Currently the growth of China as an economic power has significantly influenced the growth of container shipping in recent years especially with its significant exports to Europe and the USA. As a result the major world container shipping routes (according to 2006 figures) are:
1. Within the Far East.
2. The Far East to North America
3. The Far East to North West Europe
4. The Far East to the Persian Gulf & the Indian Sub Continent
5. North West Europe to North America
Also in tandem with the growth of
container shipping, there has been a consolidation internationally of
container terminal operators. As a result more container terminals in
ports around the world are operated by fewer operators.
MAJOR CONTAINER SHIP AND GENERAL PURPOSE SHIPBUILDERS:
Today the shipbuilders of container ships
and general purpose ships are dominated by a few key shipbuilders
mostly from Korea, Japan and China in these emerging economies due to
their lower costs.
South Korea:
Hyundai Heavy Industries Group
Samsung Heavy Industries http://www.shi.samsung.co.kr/eng/
Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering
STX Shipbuilding http://www.stxship.co.kr/english/main.aspx Hanjin Heavy Industries http://www.hanjinsc.com/eng/
Japan: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries http://www.mhi.co.jp/en/
Hitachi Zosen Corporation http://www.hitachizosen.co.jp/english/index-e.html
Kawasaki Heavy Industries http://www.khi.co.jp/index_e.html
Sumitomo Heavy Industries
China:
China State Shipbuilding Corporation http://www.cssc.net.cn/enlish/index.php
China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation http://www.csic.com.cn/en/default.htm
MAJOR
CONTAINER TERMINAL PORT OPERATORS:
Today the major world container terminal port operators are (according to 2008 figures):
1. Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH)
2. PSA International
3. APM Terminals
4. DP World
5. China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO) THE UK'S MAJOR CONTAINER PORTS:
Currently in the UK the major container ports by throughput (TEU) are:
1. Felixstowe (HPH)
2. DP World Southampton
3. London (Tilbury) http://www.forthports.co.uk/ports/ports/tilbury/
4. Liverpool (Peel Ports)
5. Medway (London Thamesport) (HPH) EUROPE'S
MAJOR CONTAINER PORTS:
Currently Europe's major container ports by throughput (TEU) are:
1. Rotterdam, The Netherlands
2. Hamburg, Germany
3. Antwerp, Belgium
4. Bremen / Bremerhaven, Germany
5. Algerciras, Spain www.apba.es
THE FAR
EAST'S MAJOR CONTAINER PORTS:
MAJOR CONTAINER SHIPPING LINES: Today as a result of consolidation and globalisation the container shipping industry, just like the container terminal port operators, is dominated by several major global players (according to 2008 figures):
1. Maersk Line
2. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)
3. CMA-CGM Group
4. Evergreen Line
5. Hapag-Lloyd Group
6. China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO)
7. American President Lines (APL)
8. NYK Line
(Nippon Yusen Kaisha) Group
9. China Shipping
Group
10. Mitsui OSK Lines
Container Shipping Information Service (CSIS)
GREAT BRITAIN: Swire Group
Borchard Group
FRANCE: CMA-CGM Group
http://www.landtransportinternational.com http://www.rail-link-europe.com THE NETHERLANDS: Holland Maas Shipping http://www.hollandmaas.com NileDutch http://www.niledutch.com BELGIUM: DELPHIS http://www.delphis.be DENMARK:
A.P. Moller-Maersk Group
http://www.maersklogistics.com Unifeeder http://www.unifeeder.com NORWAY: Star Shipping
FINLAND: Containerships
Group
ICELAND:
GERMANY: Hapag-Lloyd Group
Hamburg Sud Group
Senator Lines
Deutsche Afrika Line (Rantzau Group) http://www.deutsche-afrika-linien.de OPDR Hamburg http://www.opdr.de MACS Shipping http://www.macship.com Team Lines http://www.teamlines.de
ITALY: Grimaldi Group
http://www.grimaldi-ferries.com http://www.mmos.com.mt
SWITZERLAND:
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)
BULGARIA: Navigation Maritime Bulgaria http://www.navbul.com CYPRUS: Inter Marine Container Lines (IMCL) http://www.imcl.com TURKEY: Contaz Group http://www.contaz.com RUSSIA: Delta Shipping Lines http://www.deltashipping.eu
Matson Line
Atlantic Container Line (ACL)
http://www.crowley.com Horizon Lines http://www.horizon-lines.com Troy Container Line http://www.troylines.com Westwood Shipping Lines http://www.weyerhaeuser.com/Businesses/WestwoodShipping BRAZIL: Companhia Libra de Navegacao (Libra) http://www.libra.com.br CHILE: Compania Sud-Americana de Vapores S.A. (CSAV)
ISRAEL:
Zim Lines
JAPAN:
NYK Line (Nippon Yusen Kaisha) Group
Mitsui OSK Lines
K Line
(Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha)
SINGAPORE: Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) Group
Pacific
International Lines
Sea Consortium
Evergreen Group
http://www.evergreen-marine.com http://www.evergreen-marine.co.uk http://www.evergreen-marine.co.hk http://www.italiamarittima.com Yang Ming Group Wan Hai Lines
SOUTH KOREA:
Hanjin Group
Hyundai Merchant Marine http://www.hyundaigroup.com http://www.hmm21.com http://www.transorient.co.kr/ Korea Marine Transport (KMTC) Line http://www.kmtc.co.kr
China Shipping Group
China Ocean Shipping (COSCO) Group
http://www.cosco-logistics.com.cn/
http://www.cosco-shipyard.com/englishnew/index.asp China Changjiang National Shipping Corporation (CSC)
http://www.china-csc.com/english.asp Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL)
http://www.cargosmart.com/en/default.htm http://www.lbcti.com/ http://www.ooreg.com/english/group.htm Gold Star Line http://www.gslltd.com.hk
http://www.misc.com.my INDONESIA: Samudera Indonesia Group http://www.samudera.com AUSTRALIA: Austral Asia Line http://www.aalpas.com NEW ZEALAND: Sofrana Group http://www.sofrana.co.nz KUWAIT: United Arab Shipping Company Limited (UASC) http://www.usac.com.kw IRAN: Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) http://ww.irisl.net INDIA: Shipping Corporation of India http://www.shipindia.com RUSSIA: FESCO Transport Group http://www.fesco.ru/en/index.html Sovcomflot http://www.sovcomflot.ru/ Northern Shipping Company (NSC) http://www.ansc.ru/ Novoship Group http://www.novoship.ru/index-eng.shtml |