the German shipowning industry sees black



Currently the project of fusion between the German shipowning societies Hapag-Lloyd and Hamburg Süd, two of the main national companies of the field, seems to be in a phase of stall. However the road, if not of the fusion, at least of the grip collaboration seems to be that deduction unavoidable from the German companies of the shipping in order to tackle to the crisis.

This is one of the results of the fifth investigation anniversary realized from the society of PwC advising on the German shipowning industry, section that - second found how much - does not preview an improvement of the market: according to the majority of the one hundred interviewed shipowners, to the horizon a resumption is not caught a glimpse.

The investigation reveals the availability of the German shipowners to cooperate with other societies of the section. Currently already more of 40% of the 100 interviewed shipowners, that they operate in several fields of activity, it works to tightened contact with other companies and 50% want to intensify ulteriorly the cooperation in the next few months. "The greater cooperation between shipowners - Claus Brandt has explained, partner and in charge of the area Shipping & Ports di PwC - is an answer directed to the excess of ability to the fleet, to the consequent war of the prices and to the risked profits. We consider that they will form other so-called solution-platform".

The majority of the interviewed shipowners previews a progressive consolidation of the German industry, evolution that closely is tied to the unsatisfactory development of the market: about four on five companies consider that in the 2013-2014 ulterior fusions and acquisitions will happen, and almost 90% of the interviewed ones are of the opinion that many companies of navigation not sopravviveranno per year in course. Still more pessimistic the waits of the smaller companies: those with less than 100 dependent share to the 100% this appraisal.

The tendency to the consolidation of the field could have negative consequences on the occupation. Even if relatively little shipowners intend to reduce the places of work - the investigation reveals - the percentage of companies that it previews to diminish the dependent however is increased in the course of 2012 from 12% to 16%. Moreover only 40% of the companies preview to assume new staff in the course of this year, while last year this intention was expressed by 51% of the shipowners.

A fast resumption of the market is not in sight. Currently only 43% of the German shipowners have declared that their society is in increase, percentage that in 2012 was of 53%. The perspectives are still darker: 55% of shipowners (56% in 2012) consider that the markets of the shipping will not be resumed in the short period.

The investigation of PwC has evidenced also the difficulty of the German shipowners to approach the financings. The credit institutions are more and more reluctant to distribute deep and, consequently, the shipowners are on the lookout for sources financing alternatives: seven interviewed on ten have the intention of approach new sources of new capital or to receive partner in the society.