MSC Makes Hay While Hapag-Lloyd Loses Market Share in July

Container-lines operating on U.S.-inbound routes saw a 4% growth in handling in July compared to a year earlier. That was led by imports from Asia, shown by the strong performance from regional shippers including COSCO Shipping (38% higher including CSCL) and the Japanese liners (NYK and Mitsui OSK both saw over 20% increases).

Notably MSC, which is the largest shipper even allowing for the current wave of M&A, increased its volumes by 16% and its market share to 9.3% in the past quarter vs. 8.1% a year earlier. Hapag-Lloyd was the only major shipper to experience lower volumes, and a 0.2% drop in its market share to 5.8%. That may reflect friction from the integration of UASC – a cautionary tale for COSCO, Maersk and ONE as they complete their deals.

The completion of COSCO Shipping’s bid for Orient Overseas isn’t a given though. Panjiva analysis of nearly 4,400 liner-country pairs shows the new company will be a top three shipper on eight U.S.-inbound country pairs, vs. four went taken separately.

Hebei Longsheng Metals and Minerals Co, Ltd.