The Hamburg Süd Group (including the Brazilian shipping company Alianca) has increased cargo volume on its liner services by around 21 per cent, to 1.84 million TEU (2005: 1.52 million TEU). Alongside organic growth, this rise was aided by the takeover of the cross-trade operations of the Russian shipping company Fesco, which took effect on 30 June 2006.

The acquisition considerably improved the Group’s market position in the trade lanes between Australia/New Zealand, Asia and US West Coast. Additionally, the start of 2006 saw the complete takeover of Ybarra Sud’s liner operations between the Mediterranean and East Coast South America. Hamburg Süd had held 50 per cent of Ybarra Sud since the late 1980s.

The slot capacity of the container vessels deployed in the liner services grew by just one per cent, to 201,000 TEU, a result of service rationalisation. Due to the reduction in the share of smaller units, the number of container ships fell by two, to 88. At the end of 2006, the fleet operated by the Hamburg Süd Group - including the 51 bulk carriers and product tankers - comprised 139 units (2005: 146). The number of Group-owned vessels remained constant at 27 units. The container inventory grew to 258,000 units by the end of the year, a rise of 20 per cent.

The turnover of the group rose by 5.2 per cent on the previous year, to around €3,194 million. Of this, €2,692 million (approximately 85 per cent) was attributable to the liner division, an increase of just eight per cent in contrast with strong volume growth. A crucial factor was freight rates, which came under considerable pressure in most services. However management stated that the decline in freight rates experienced since mid-2005 had now come to a halt in most of its trades. Since mid-2006 earnings gains have been made, though without reaching the level of previous years.

Source: Hamburg Sud

The Glossary of Terms in Logistics & Shipping is the most comprehensive paper-based dictionary and therefore the standard for defining terms used in the area of Logistics and Shipping. Use this powerful tool to expand your professional vocabulary and ensure that everyone on your team is speaking the same language. www.theKnowledgeTransfer.com

paperback student version $ 19,99 hardcover executive version $ 29,99

| Permanent Link | Print This eLog |

(Visited over 19337 times)