What the numbers say

What the numbers say Transpacific capacity tibits from Compair Data

      ' On April 1, 2008, Evergreen was the biggest provider of capacity on the Asia/U.S. West Coast trade, offering 42,000 TEUs of weekly capacity. By early December, the Taiwanese line had shed 60 percent of that capacity and now offers 16,700 TEUs per week. It's now the fifth-biggest provider of capacity on the trade.

      ' While APL and China Shipping have been among the most active idlers of ships among all carriers (particularly those based in Asia), they have moved in opposite directions in terms of the capacity they offer between Asia and the U.S. West Coast. APL, a member of the New World Alliance, has actually increased its capacity since January, from nearly 20,000 TEUs a week to 22,700 TEUs in early December. China Shipping, on the other hand, has shrunk its capacity from nearly 14,000 TEUs to fewer than 12,000 TEUs in the same period.

      ' Only five of the world's top 20 carriers are offering more capacity today between Asia and the U.S. West Coast than they were at the beginning of January 2008 ' Hanjin Shipping, Maersk Line, APL, CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd. Among those to pull back the most capacity, outside of Evergreen, are Yang Ming and NYK Line.

      ' Eastbound transpacific capacity to both the U.S. West and East coasts has fallen 6 percent since Jan. 1, 6.5 percent since July 1, and 15.5 percent since their July 2008 high.