Braving container terminal headwinds: a playbook for investors

Container shipping has been slow to snap back from the recession. Today, terminal owners must understand both container shipping macro trends and the dynamics of the port where they operate. There are still opportunities to create value in this market, but it won’t be easy.

At a glance

• Winners and losers are emerging in the battle to become dominant gateway ports for container trade in North America.
• Meanwhile, consolidation—among shippers and terminals—is fundamentally changing the competitive map for several gateways.
• Infrastructure challenges continue to plague North American ports and terminals, with congested railways and highways often strangling the unloading process.
• Investors should carefully weigh a port’s growth potential in light of all these factors and make some hard choices.