Peak season in August will be 'positive surprise' for boxes, says BIMCO

CONTAINER shipping is likely to maintain strong rates unless "deployed capacity reveals itself as abundant" on the transpacific and Asia-Europe trade lanes, according to the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO).

BIMCO, the world's biggest international shipping association, representing owners of 65 per cent of global tonnage, has issued its August forecast predicting strength on the transpacific but tougher times for Asia-Europe and a slowing Asian manufacturing on weaker demand.

The first half of the year increased eastbound shipments on the transpacific by 2.1 per cent but westbound Asia-Europe shipments suffered by the same percentage in decline due to European crisis.

A more positive outlook on freight rates is likely to bump up import figures in August for US west coast freight rates repeating the strong import figures of July, said BIMCO.

Idling of smaller vessels of up to 3,000 TEU is striking a healthy market balance for new tonnage coming up stream, the report said.