BULK/CONTAINER SHIPS "A MAJOR THREAT"

The development of container services operated at reduced rates on bulk ships was one of the major trends predicted to significantly affect both the container service and terminal operator at CARGO SYSTEMS' recent round table of leading shipping and port personalities, who debated the theme: "Future ship demand and its impact on terminal requirements". The four participants were: J Marshall, general manager of research and development, Overseas Containers Ltd; R Faulds, manager port and cargo services, Ocean Transport and Trading Ltd; W Kieselhorst, senior consultant, HHLA (Hamburger Hafen-und Lagerhaus AG) and K Dally, assistant director, technical services, National Ports Council, UK. In the first part of the debate, published last month, the panel drew the following main conclusions: (1) Shipping growth would remain at a rate slightly ahead of world industrial growth, with developing country activity playing an increasingly important role. (2) There was now a "new head of steam" behind containerisation which would lead to a demand for new ship types, although the situation would not be as dramatic as it was in 1970. (3) Containerisation now accounted for 50 per cent of all traffic moving on deep sea general cargo trades. A final share of between 75 and 85 per cent was predicted. (4) The panel disagreed on the value of the combo ship, particularly as a ship type suitable for developing country purchase. (5) The conversion of the fruit trade to containerisation, inevitable in the panel's view, would make a big impact on equipment requirement. (6) Reviewing the effect of rising bunker costs, 20 knots was thought an optimum ship speed to balance economy with service frequency in most deep sea trades. Very large ships were thought unlikely. The remainder of the debate examines in greater depth the effect of competitive pressures on ship choice, transhipment and inland transport economics, methods of improving handling efficiency, and the likely future requirements which the port industry would have to meet.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.library.northwestern.edu/libraries-collections/evanston-campus/transportation-library/services/document-delivery-ill-services
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Part 1 of the debate is contained in Cargo Systems International, May 1980, Volume 7, Number 5. See also MRIS 314970.
• Publication Date: 1980-6

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 58
• Serial:
  • CARGO SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL
  • Volume: 7
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Deutsche Bahn AG

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bulk carriers; Cargo handling equipment; Container handling; Containerization; Containers; Containerships; Economic analysis; Economics; Intermodal terminals; Merchant vessels; Operations; Port operations; Shipping; User charges
• Uncontrolled Terms: Port finance
• Old TRIS Terms: Competitive merchant ships; Container operations; Shipping trends; Terminal facilities
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Economics; Finance; Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00316328
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 8 1980 12:00AM