Supply Chain Research

Container-line Maersk reported revenue growth of 7.6% in ocean freight in the third quarter of 2018. That included a 5.5% rise in achieved rates, which was well above the 1.1% industry-wide level. The fourth quarter may also see strong revenue growth. Maersk’s CCO, Vincent Clerc, has indicated higher U.S. tariffs on Chinese exports are leading Maersk’s customers to “accelerate their purchase orders”. That can be seen in an 18.9% rise in U.S. imports from China handled by Maersk in October compared to a year earlier. Yet, Mr. Clerc has also indicated that there will be a “significant slow...