Spot container freight rates have jumped by 30% over the last two weeks as demand rebounds ahead of the peak season.

Container volumes rose in the first quarter 2024 at the Port of Hamburg, but lower liquid bulk throughput dragged the overall figure into the red.

Hapag-Lloyd’s first quarter 2024 earnings look devastating compared to the same period in 2023, but the quarter was stronger than expected due to Red Sea diversions.

Container volume and cargo throughput at Chinese ports both achieved positive growth in the first quarter of this year.

AD Ports Group has more than doubled its first quarter earnings compared to Q1 2023, with a 22% uplift on a like-for-like basis.

The 2020s have so far proved to be anything but uneventful for the container sector. If a global pandemic wasn’t already enough of a shock to our industry, the post-Covid period has presented ongoing challenges for both lines and terminal operators.

Following the announcement of the dissolution of the 2M alliance the division of services was rapid, but since the beginning of this year the collaboration has regained momentum with an increase in joint MSC and Maersk services.