New Market Research Report: Thailand Shipping Report Q3 2011

July 24, 2011 - PRLog -- We are predicting moderate expansion for the Thai ports and shipping sector in 2011. We see two major trends. On the one hand, the Thai economy is growing at a somewhat lower rate this year, as the country faces global economic headwinds. Offsetting this slowdown, we see some signs of medium-term strength, including a reasonably strong labour market and a revival of investment growth. As a result of our analysis, BMI now forecasts 2011 GDP growth of 3.6% (following the 7.8% expansion experienced in 2010). On the other hand, port and shipping activity looks like expanding faster than GDP this year, partly because of leads and lags in the supply chain.

Headline Industry Data

* Gross tonnage at Laem Chabang, the country's largest port, set to rise by 8.1% to 55.642mn tonnes this year. Box handling at the same port to rise 8% to 5.490mn 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
* At Port of Bangkok BMI projects 5.4% tonnage growth to 17.49mn tonnes in 2011, with container handling set to grow 6.2% to 1.492mn TEUs.
* Real value of foreign trade set to grow 2.7% in 2011, with imports up by 2.8% and exports marginally behind at 2.7%.

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Full Report Details at
- http://www.fastmr.com/prod/208379_thailand_shipping_repor...
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Key Industry Trends

Qatargas Delivers First LNG Shipment To Thailand - In June Qatargas delivered its first 130,000 cubic metre shipment of liquid natural gas (LNG) to the purpose-built Map Ta Phut LNG terminal. Thai imports of LNG are expected to grow significantly through this terminal.

Burma Moving Ahead With US$8bn Dawei Project - Thai exports will have a new western route, through Daiwei port. The Italian-Thai Development Company, selected late last year to execute the US$8bn project, says the port will become 'a gateway to Indochina and south China'. While Daiwei will reduce transport costs and shipping times, it could also take business away from Bangkok Port.

Congestion Causes Protests at Bangkok Port - A number of business and trade lobbies have complained about the closure of two out of Bangkok Port's seven wharves for maintenance work. The shut-down started in October 2010 and will last the better part of a year. With a scarcity of berths, some shippers have faced surcharges of between US$50 to US$100 per container.

Key Risks To Outlook

The general elections in July pose the major risk to our forecasts. On the downside we fear that an opposition victory for the Puea Thai Party could usher in a new cycle of instability. The party's Prime Ministerial candidate, Yingluck Shinawatra, is the sister of exiled former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, and efforts to bring him back to power could spark a new military coup and another turn in the ongoing political conflict the country has experienced since 2006. At its worst, a new crisis might trigger renewed mass protests and associated disruption of economic activity. BMI also notes however that a victory by the ruling Democrat Party coalition would have upside risks for our forecasts.

Report Table of Contents:

Executive Summary
- Headline Industry Data
- Key Industry Trends
- Key Risks To Outlook
SWOT Analysis
- Thailand Shipping SWOT
- Thailand Political SWOT
- Thailand Economic SWOT
- Thailand Business Environment SWOT
Global Overview
- Container Shipping Overview
- Drivers
- Bellwethers
- Rates
- Players
- Dry-Bulk Shipping Overview
- Drivers
- Capacity
- Rates
- Liquid Bulk Shipping Overview
- Drivers
- Capacity
- Rates
- Players
- Geopolitical Developments
Industry Trends and Development
- First LNG Tanker Docks At Map Ta Phut
- Minority Shareholders Make Play For TTA
- Burma's US$8bn Daiwei Port Project Advancing
- Congestion Causes Concern At Bangkok
- Logistics Report Calls For Port Investment
Market Overview
- Port of Laem Chabang
- Port of Bangkok
Industry Forecast
- Macro: Headwinds Moderate Growth Rate
- Total Tonnage: Laem Chabang Forecast Held at 8.1%
- Container Throughput: 8% Growth In Main Box Port
- Trade: Growth To Lag GDP This Year
- Table: Major Port Data
- Table: Trade Overview
- Table: Key Trade Indicators
- Table: Main Import Partners
- Table: Main Export Partners
Company Profile
- Regional Container Lines (RCL)
- Precious Shipping PCL (PSL)
- Maersk Line
- Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)
- CMA CGM
- Hapag-Lloyd
- Evergreen Line
- APL
- CSAV
- COSCO Container Lines Company Limited (COSCON)
- Hanjin Shipping (Container Operations)
- China Shipping Container Line (CSCL)

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Fast Market Research is an online aggregator and distributor of market research and business information. We represent the world's top research publishers and analysts and provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available.