ContainersEuropeOperations

Global conro fleet fades away

Photo of Sam Chambers Sam ChambersApril 26, 2023
2 1,283 Less than a minute

Conros – ships that carry containers, vehicles and other rolling cargo – are an endangered and ageing vessel species.

Italy’s Grimaldi last week took delivery of the 47,528 dwt Great Antwerp, the first brand new conro to come out of any yard in the world for six years, according to Alphaliner.

Grimaldi, Linea Messina and the Bahri are the only three carriers left operating conro tonnage on long distance routes with Alphaliner data showing the combined fleets of these three conro operators represents just 0.5% of the total liner fleet.

Photo of Sam Chambers Sam ChambersApril 26, 2023
2 1,283 Less than a minute
Photo of Sam Chambers

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.

Comments

  1. I know they are owned by Grimaldi but, being a British ex =employee, I like to think that Atlantic Container Line (ACL) still has a unique identity, tonnage design and history which separates it from the (now) parent.

  2. Is it perhaps more a case of a small niche, with an expert operation sitting comfortably in it?

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