Industry Intelligence Hub

The maritime shipping industry encompasses the transportation of goods and people by sea. It covers a wide range of activities, including shipbuilding, vessel operations, shipping agency, freight forwarding, container handling, and logistics. The industry can be divided into three main segments:

1. Upstream (Shipbuilding)

The upstream segment consists of shipbuilders responsible for constructing new vessels and maintaining existing ones. Shipbuilding is a capital-intensive industry with high technical barriers. Revenues are heavily influenced by macroeconomic conditions. During economic expansions, shipowners tend to increase capital expenditures, leading to rising shipbuilding orders.

2. Midstream (Transport & Port Operations)

Transport: Also known as shipping operations, this segment can be further divided into operations container shipping, bulk shipping (for commodities like grain and iron ore), and tanker shipping (for transport of oil and LNG). Revenue in this segment is largely influenced by freight rate fluctuations, which are determined by market supply and demand.

Port Operations: Ports serve as crucial hubs for loading, unloading, and transshipment of goods. Port operations include vessel berthing, container storage, and other logistical services. Revenue is primarily influenced by cargo volumes passing through the ports.

3. Downstream (Freight Forwarding & Logistics)

Freight Forwarding: Freight forwarders provide a range of services on behalf of shippers, including customs clearance, warehousing, and inland transportation. They primarily earn revenue through commissions or markups and are less susceptible to economic cycles compared to the upstream and midstream segments.

Container Handling & Warehousing: This segment involves the operation of container terminals, container maintenance, as well as the storage, handling, and movement of cargo at terminals.