Volumes in every major shipping sector took a hit in 2023, according to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges results, as war hit supply chains in both Ukraine and latterly the Middle East, sending inflation spiralling in the US and Europe and deflating demand.
![Maersk vessel calling at Balboa]( "Maersk vessel calling at Balboa")
As the Panama Canal’s climate and water woes continue Maersk is switching to use a land bridge for an Oceania – Americas service which will be split in two.
![Kenichi Michada, Senior Vice President of Ocean Network Express (ONE) and Marcus Hand of Seatrade Maritime News]( "Kenichi Michada, Senior Vice President of Ocean Network Express (ONE) and Marcus Hand of Seatrade Maritime News")
Dealing with supply chain disruption was brough sharply into focus during the pandemic and shipping lines and their customers faced many operational challenges.
![HMS-Diamond-firing.jpg]( "HMS-Diamond-firing.jpg")
An apparently indiscriminate attack on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea was carried out on January 9 and thwarted by US and UK naval assets.
Stena RoRo has placed an order for another Ro-Pax-class E-Flexer vessel from the Chinese shipyard China Merchants Industry Jinling (Weihai) Shipyard.
Container spot freight rates between Asia and Europe jumped 60% in the space of two weeks and there have even been sharp increases on trades such as Asia – US West Coast which are not directly affected by the Red Sea crisis.
RightShip is partnering with Brazil’s Port of Sudeste, in Itaguai, Rio de Janeiro, to utilise its Maritime Emissions Portal (MEP) for the first time in the Latin American region.
War in Gaza has so far led to attacks on merchant vessels transiting the Red Sea, but some experts are also concerned about the spread of vessel attacks to Somali pirates operating in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea region.
Nakilat has ordered six new gas carriers to meet its forecasts of continued expanding demand for gas transportation.
