The southbound leg of the Europe-East Coast South America trade reclaimed its dominance in 2017, according to Drewry’s latest Container Insight Weekly.
Container shipments from Europe to East Coast South America broke a three-year losing streak last year by registering its first annual growth since 2013.
The global shipping consultancy cited figures from Datamar, which revealed that the southbound trade achieved a volume increase of 12% in 2017 to reach 850,000 TEU.
Split by region of export, growth from the smaller Mediterranean market was strongest, rising by 15% to 250,000 TEU, while North Europe exports to ECSA increased by 11% to 600,000 TEU.
North Europe exports ended the year stronger than the Med, rising by 14% in the fourth quarter, versus 9%.
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That pattern carried into 2018 with Datamar statistics for January showing buoyant growth from both regions with North Europe (+20%) just edging ahead of the Med (+17%).
Concluding its report, Drewry stated: “Momentum is currently with the inbound trade to East Coast South America, driven by improving macro-economics in Brazil and Argentina.
“However, given the overcapacity on this leg carriers will struggle to see any meaningful increase in revenue.”
