Questions over the sustainability of the boxship market recovery and the future of bank finance dominated the conversation at TradeWinds' inaugural Shipowners’ Forum in Hamburg last week.
Despite the slight uptick in charter rates for some classes of containerships, panellists were cautious about the outlook.
Heavy debts that continue to overhang many German shipowners will remain a burden unless they and their financiers face up to the need for restructuring and the creative use of their professional skills.
