REPORT: ASIAN PORTS TO TRIPLE BOX VOLUMES BY 2015

REPORT: ASIAN PORTS TO TRIPLE BOX VOLUMES BY 2015    Asian ports will increase their total annual container handling volumes from about 107 million TEUs in 2000 to between 254 million and 306 million TEUs in 2015, according to a report by Ocean Shipping Consultants.
   Depending on economic growth, Asian ports are also forecast to increase their box volumes by between 45 percent and 54 percent over the period 2000-2005, to between 154 million and 164 million TEUs, the report said. Further volume increases are forecast to between 205 million and 236 million TEUs by 2010.
   The U.K.-based consultants’ report, “The East Asian Containerport Market to 2015,” breaks down Asia into three regions — Northeast Asia, the Chinese port region, and Southeast Asia.
   “Whilst growth is expected to be extremely rapid in all three port regions, Southeast Asia is set to continue increasing its share vis-'-vis the Chinese port region and Northeast Asia,” the consultants said.
   The report also predicts a growing role for transshipment in Asia, with an increasing significance of Korean ports as transshipment hubs for Northeast China and minor Japanese ports.
   But the report noted that the immediate outlook for Asia is “for a weakening of GDP growth in 2001.” It cited the reduction in U.S. demand and in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries in general, and growth in the Japanese economy, as potential challenges to regional growth and trade from 2001.