The container-lines’ business conditions generally improved in the third quarter. Average rates on China-outbound routes increased by 21% on a year earlier, while port activity shows handling increased for a 16th straight month as of August. Panjiva analysis of consensus estimates for the top 10 lines shows revenues likely increased by 4% on a year earlier, or 8% if excluding Hanjin Shipping. That compares to 5% for the logistics industry including forwarders and tankers/bulkers. Rising bunker fuel prices took some of the gloss off after they rose by 27%. Nonetheless profitabili...