Low rates for containerised goods have provided a global supply chain for consumer goods but that supply chain has faced increasing risk from financially tenuous shipowners such as Hanjin.
Containership rates are currently running at about 65% of the level seen prior to the 2008-2009 recession, according to the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement, a containership trade group. Since 2011, the containership industry has only shown sporadic profitability, with most shipping companies racking up continuing losses.
Despite
