Title: Liner shipping strategies: an overview

Authors: Pierre Cariou

Addresses: World Maritime University, Citadellsvagen 29, P.O. Box 500, S-201 24 Malmo, Sweden

Abstract: This paper offers an overview of the three main current trends in the liner shipping market during the last 15 years: horizontal integration, vertical integration and the investment in bigger vessels. It tries to explain why these strategies took place and are closely interrelated. Finally, the paper shows how the uncertainty on the potential future overcapacity and on the repeal of the exemption of shipping conferences from European competition rules could play on future strategies.

Keywords: liner shipping; container vessels; vessel size; horizontal integration; vertical integration; shipping conferences.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOSM.2008.017778

International Journal of Ocean Systems Management, 2008 Vol.1 No.1, pp.2 - 13

Published online: 12 Apr 2008 *