Clarksons downbeat over maritime development
Clarksons Research has revised its forecast of growth of maritime transport in tonnes downwards, from the 2.9% foreseen in its spring report to 1.7%, as it has just published in the progress of its autumn report on shipping.
This low growth, the lowest since 2009, is due to the weakening of economic conditions and problems such as the trade war and the collapse of the Vale dam at the beginning of the year in Brazil. The demand forecast in tonnes per mile has been reduced to a lesser extent, from 2.9% to 2.2%.
This consultant described the state of the world economy as "worrying" six months ago and advised to closely monitor possible market downturns. Events since then have increased the feeling of restlessness. Even so, and despite a series of "economic winds against", Clarksons' general freight index, ClarkSea, has followed an upward trend throughout this year, increasing 12% year-on-year (last year, the increase was 13%). (fd)