Shippers on U.S.-bound routes had a bumper fourth quarter – volumes increased 10% in December and 9% for the fourth quarter overall. The strongest performers in December were K-Line, possibly to build share ahead of its merger, and COSCO after completing its merger with CSCL. Hapag-Lloyd overtook Maersk as second largest shipper in the month of December, although this looks to be a temporary event. Even without mergers the bigger operators are beating the smaller ones. The top six shippers expanded their market share to 35% of volumes for the fourth quarter, 3.2% points higher than a ye...