…..BRIEFY….. Despite global economic meltdown: EC says shipping will boom

According to a European Commission study, world shipping will continue to multiply until at least the year 2018, despite current gloomy predictions and forecasts.In its maritime transport study just released, the EC predicts that the world fleet will increase from 77,500 ships in 2008 to 100,000 by 2018, which is an increase of 29%. As far as shipping’s capacity in terms of deadweight is concerned, the total fleet will have reached 2.1 billion dwt compared with 1.15bn dwt at present.
The EC sees this as normal growth meeting future cargo requirements. However it points out that such growth also means that ports, harbours, rail and road infrastructure must also gear up for these increased volumes, along with other related services..