Global container ports could handle 840m teu a year by 2018

Projected throughput four years from now compares with 642m teu in 2013 and 674m teu projected for this year.

The 2018 projection is double the 2004 throughput figure of 363m teu.

The combination of faster traffic growth and strong profit levels is attracting aggressive new players to enter the container terminal-operator business , according to the 11th Global Container Terminal Operators Annual Review and Forecast report published by shipping consultancy Drewry.

It says Africa and Greater China are the regions that will see the most rapid growth.

Overall, growth rates are expected to average an annual 5.6% in the five years to 2018, compared with 3.4% in 2013.

That will boost average terminal utilisation from 67% today to 75% in 2018, Drewry forecasts.