The banana charterer's story

It's all very well for charterers to call on the industry to invest in building more vessels - but are they prepared to commit to a 10- year contract at 95c/cbft in support of their demands? To some extent the plea illustrates the dilemma facing Spot banana charterers: although reefer rates are being undercut by the container lines unless they are prepared to pay more for their capacity the mode on which they depend will disappear. And while they may have no wish for the container lines to become involved in their trades, it is already becoming ever more difficult to justify shipping on reefers, such is the rate differential. (Resume d'auteur)