|
|
|
Home
|
Benefits
|
FAQs
|
Help
|
Full Search
|
Contact Us
|
UPDATE – JENS NORGAARD, SALES & MARKETING EXECUTIVE, SAFMARINE
As at 1 July 2009
• The recession of the global economy has hit the shipping industry hard. Consumers have cut their spending and fewer goods are being transported.
• For the first three months of the year (2009), containerised shipping volumes were down by more than 15% globally.
• The automotive and chemical sectors have been the industries most impacted by the recession; the demand for and supply of food products have been more robust as people need to eat and many commodities need to be shipped once harvested.
• Safmarine has also experienced a tough start to the year. In the first quarter of 2009 Safmarine modestly increased its volumes by 2% with rates on average down 25% versus the same period for last year
• Safmarine's core business areas are transport to and from Africa and to and from Middle East/India/Pakistan; these markets have been slightly more resilient in recent months than the big East-West Trades.
• Safmarine's business volumes have fared relatively well despite the downturn, but it is still a major change from the double digit growth Safmarine has enjoyed in recent years. We believe one of the reasons for our relative success is our close relationships with many of our customers. During the boom times we stood by our customers, and now many of our customers have helped us retain their business. A high level of trust between partners has enabled us to openly discuss market developments and Safmarine has been able to stay competitive.
• Our hard work invested in delivering a good service and having a reliable product is of course critical to most of our customers, especially in the difficult African market. Recent results of schedule reliability research done by independent consultants such as Drewry have indicated that Safmarine continues to be one of the most reliable carriers in the market.
• The industry outlook is for a difficult rest of year, with all the listed carriers reporting losses for the first quarter. A few carriers have received cash injections to stay afloat and others are struggling and getting low credit ratings. The industry is in dire need for rate increases for the short term stabilisation of the market and Safmarine is committed to this exercise.
• Safmarine's profitability has suffered from the rate decreases, but we have initiated extensive cost saving programmes and are adapting both our product offerings and organisation to suit the new reality in shipping.
• Earlier in the year we took delivery of two vessels but we are not taking delivery of any new buildings until late 2010 and will therefore be able to preserve the cash flow for the foreseeable future.
• Safmarine is well positioned to be a strong partner going forward, in Africa and the rest of the world.
ends
|
ASSOCIATED DOWNLOAD FILES
|
|
|
NEW INFORMATION ITEMS
Feature - Safmarine aims to increase auto volumes in 2013
Safmarine increased its automotive import and export volumes in 2012 and hopes to continue the...
More Info
Feature - Africa -Thailand Trade
Feature material on Africa-Thailand Trade - Carrier Perspective - Q&A
Answers provided by...
More Info
News: Award for Safmarine’s 21 year Containers-in-the-Community initiative
22 April 2013
Shipping line Safmarine has been recognised for its 21 year commitment to...
More Info
Opinion piece - A sea of same ... Safmarine's Russell Gillespie April 2013
Safmarine's Russell Gillespie Global Head of Customer Experience and Brand looks at the all...
More Info
Profile - Safmarine 2013 - Boilerplate text
The below Safmarine profile is used for press release purposes.
ABOUT...
More Info
News: Safmarine and Capespan provide a safe space for nurturing young minds
Safmarine and Capespan provide a safe space for nurturing young minds
A partnership...
More Info
Navigator Issue 51 - April 2013
In this issue, we've put the spotlight on:
The Safmarine's cultureThe importance of delivering...
More Info
Clippings - The Times - Best-kept success story (22 March 2013)
Eighteen years ago, Safmarine partnered with the South African Department of Education and the...
More Info
Clippings - Skills on site (March 2013)
Safmarine's Containers-in-the-Community project - 'Sport in a box' - has been nominated...
More Info
Team Safmarine cycles for change
This year an even bigger Team Safmarine cycled the 109km Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour, the...
More Info
More Info Items
|
NEW IMAGES
New images added this week...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.jpg)
.JPG)
