ABSTRACT
The container shipping industry consists of shipping companies transporting containerized goods overseas via regular liner services as their core activity. Container shipping is a highly capital-intensive industry where some assets are owned, others are leased, and where there exists a wide variability in cost bases. Container shipping lines also face large investments in their container fleets. The revenue base of container shipping lines consists of freight rates collected from the shippers or their representatives for the maritime transport of containerized cargo and is mostly complemented by a set of surcharges. Terminal handling charges vary per shipping line and per country and are a negotiable item for large customers. The growing demand for maritime container transport has been met via vessel upscaling. The shipping business has been subject to several waves of mergers and acquisitions. The scope of extension of several shipping lines goes beyond terminal operations to include inland transport and logistics.
