Overall, 2017 was a good year for the ocean shipping industry. It’s a big switch from 2016, when the bankruptcy of Hanjin, one of the largest container shipping providers, forced everyone to confront how volatile this industry really is. Now we are starting to see most carriers’ operating margins improve, driven mainly by robust demand, positive inventory developments, and higher rate levels. While this is very positive for the shipping industry, you have to wonder. Will the positive recovery continue? Or is this simply part of the cycle we’ve experienced between 2008 and today—a vicious cycle where carriers are truly profitable for only 3 to 4 years at a time? Read More…