Kristoffersen noted that this surge in shipping capacity could exacerbate congestion at ports, as seen in European car import terminals.
He pointed out that while car shipping capacity has remained stagnant over the past decade, there has been a significant uptick in the number of vehicles moved last year, filling nearly all available ships. To address this demand, operators have ordered 198 new ships set to arrive by 2027, increasing capacity by 42 percent.
However, Kristoffersen expressed doubt that port capacity would keep pace with this increase in shipping, foreseeing potential worsening congestion issues. He emphasized the importance of terminal expansion to mitigate these challenges.
This statement comes amid MSC's notable investment in the car carrier sector, with a significant cash offer for Gram Car Carriers, a company owning 18 car carriers.
In response to the looming congestion concerns, Wallenius Wilhelmsen is investing in dedicated terminals to avoid bottlenecks. They currently operate terminals in various countries, with recent expansion in the US.
Kristoffersen also highlighted changes in carmakers' distribution systems, noting that some new manufacturers opt for non-traditional dealer networks, leading to increased vehicle build-up in ports.
