Source: UNCTAD and MDS Transmodal. Note: 2006=100.
The deployment of containerships is following three separate trends:
- Technical. Following the principle of economies of scale and ongoing demand from international trade, the deployed capacity has doubled between 2006 and 2016. This is particularly reflected in the size of the largest containership.
- Geographical. The number of container ports being called to has remained relatively stable, implying that port forelands are well established, if not mature, in the majority of regions.
- Operational. In a direct relationship with technical trends, operations trends show a decline of direct connections, weekly calls, and the number of shipping services as well as shipping lines. This is illustrative of the segmentation of services between deepsea services and feeder services.