CMA CGM announces surcharges, and makes a profit

I guess since they can't get the rate increases to stick, CMA CGM has now resorted to imposing
"surcharges" to get additional revenue. 

From The Journal of Commerce

French ocean carrier CMA CGM plans to implement "rate restoration surcharges" from Asia to Europe and Africa in the run-up to the Chinese New Year in January.
Effective Dec. 15, the carrier will impose a surcharge of $575 per 20-foot-equivalent unit from all Asian ports, including those in Japan, Southeast Asia and Bangladesh to the west Mediterranean, Adriatic, east Mediterranean, Black Sea and North Africa. It plans another $350-per-TEU surcharge on the same routes on Jan. 10.
The carrier also will impose a "Panama Canal surcharge" of 150 euros per TEU on its Panama Direct service linking Europe and the South Pacific Islands, effective Jan. 14.

And...from Reuters

* French container shipping group posts Q3 profit
* Still profitable in Q4 despite easing freight rates
* Expects bank deal in January on new debt terms
PARIS, Nov 20 (Reuters) - CMA CGM, the world's third-largest container shipping group, said on Tuesday it was on course for a full-year profit and expected to finalise a debt restructuring deal with banks in January.
The French family-owned firm has been through a turbulent three years in a freight sector under pressure from a weak global economy and oversupply of ships.
Volatility in freight has also led A.P. Moller-Maersk , owner of the world's largest container shipping firm, to cut its exposure to this business.
CMA CGM, based in the Mediterranean port city of Marseilles, said it was profitable in the fourth quarter after reporting a cumulative net profit of $310 million in the first nine months of the year.
The market was less favourable in the current quarter, however, with freight rates declining in a sign of renewed pressure from overcapacity, Michel Sirat, CMA CGM's finance director, told journalists.
"The fourth quarter won't be as good as the third quarter. It will be positive (in profits) but not as good," he said.
The company has been in talks with its banks over the past year to change its debt terms to take account of earnings volatility.


CMA CGM now expects to sign a deal in January after agreeing an outline for a debt restructuring with its main banks, Sirat said.
The deal would replace some debt covenants linked to core earnings to ones based on its balance sheet, while also rescheduling some repayments, he added.
Sirat said CMA CGM's financial position would be reinforced by an agreement last month under which France's strategic investment fund FSI is to invest $150 million, and Turkish shareholder Yildirim is to invest a further $100 million.
The group is also pursuing asset sales and plans to sell a 49 percent stake in Terminal Link, its container-terminal operator, Sirat said.
The group's previously announced cost-reduction programme had generated $550 million in savings by the end of the third quarter, ahead of a target of $400 million for the full year, the company added.
CMA CGM reported a net profit of $371 million and core earnings of $617 million in the third quarter, it said in a statement. (Reporting by Matthieu Protard and Gus Trompiz. Editing by Jane Merriman)

In my opinion things will continue to be difficult over the next few years, so there should not be too
much cheering over at CMA CGM.

TSA delays rate increases

The Transpacific Shipping Association (TSA) is a not a conference (those are now illegal), but a
"rate discussion agreement".   Carriers who belong to it are allowed to share certain information,
and to discuss certain things regarding rates.   I am not sure what they can discuss, I think just
general things, not about specific customers.

Anyway, the administrator of the TSA keeps trying to "herd cats", getting all the carriers to
go in the same direction regarding rate increases, policy matter (ie; providing chassis), etc.
Of course if the TSA falls apart the administrator and staff will be out of a job, so they are
doing everything they can to demonstrate the need for their existence.

They have just issued new contract guidelines, delaying the previously announced rate increases
for contract negotiations.

Here it is.....

Managing Market Uncertainty

Sustained volatility in the Asia-US cargo market has delayed development of TSA's annual service contracting program for 2012-13. U.S. economic and retail indicators have remained uncertain, but suggest steady, gradual longer-term improvement in the coming year. As a result TSA lines delayed announcing a formal program of revenue/cost recovery guidelines until February 2012.

In the runup to May 1, 2012, when most new Asia-US service contracts take effect, TSA lines have recommended a schedule of interim, across-the-board rate adjustments aimed at restoring freight rates in the trade to roughly May 2011 levels, as a baseline for subsequent contract rate negotiations going forward. Interim increases include:

- US$400 per 40-foot container (FEU), effective January 1, 2012, with proportionate increases for other equipment sizes, for all tariff and applicable contract cargo.

- US$300 per FEU, effective March 15, 2012, for all tariff and applicable contract cargo.

- US$400 per FEU, effective April 15, for all remaining rates below May 2011 levels.

In addition TSA has announced its 2012-13 guideline revenue program, to take effect no later than May 1, 2012 for all carrier tariffs and service contracts.

Member lines have recommended that new baseline rates be raised by a minimum of US$500 per FEU for cargo to the U.S. West Coast, and a minimum of US$700 per FEU for all other destinations. Additional revenue and cost recovery initiatives will be considered later in the year, after a review of market conditions and outlook for the second half of 2012.

Carriers have further reaffirmed the need for 2012 service contracts to apply per formula rate increases for all equipment sizes, and to provide for collection of full, floating fuel surcharges and other applicable cost-based ancillary charges.

Finally, TSA lines indicated that they intend to apply a peak season surcharge (PSS) later in the year, with a duration and at an amount to be determined based on market conditions approaching the traditional summer and fall peak period.

The overall objective is to ensure carrier viability and service stability in a highly competitive and service-intensive freight market, by a) restoring rates to a baseline of a year earlier and then b) building on that platform in upcoming contracts to cover rising costs; to permit reinvestment in services and operations; and to provide a reasonable measure of profitability.

They say a lot more  boring things regarding how they came up with their formulas etc., trying to
convince either the carriers or their customers (or both, I guess), that they are doing a good job.

I presume what has happened is carriers have "broken ranks" on the previous agreed rate
increases and now the other carriers (through the TSA) are giving the impression the offending
carrier can now right the wrong.

What will really happen is all the carriers will try to get as much business locked up before the
new deadline, and then apologize later.

I guess they still haven't figured out it's all about supply and demand.  Rather than talking about
raising rates, they should be talking about decreasing tonnage.


 

Update, "Will Ocean Carriers Hold the Rates"

I was looking at some of my old postings, and ran across the one entitled "Will Ocean Carriers Hold
the Rates",  quoting this from the JOC article of June 18, 2012.

RS Platou Markets analyst doubts container carriers will engage in rate war Concerns over a slump in container freight rates are overstated because lines are desperate to avoid a rate war and will suppress box slot supply to maintain profits, according to one leading expert.
Rahul Kapoor, a Singapore-based shipping analyst at RS Platou Markets, said concerns about demand were valid but he doubted whether carriers, after already booking poor results in the first quarter of this year, would resort to the same market-share-seeking pricing tactics that pushed them to the brink of collapse late last year.
“We believe the concerns of a rapid decline in freight rates from current levels are greatly exaggerated,” he said, adding that he thought carrier earnings had turned a corner in the current quarter and the industry would see modest profits over 2012.
“We do not see a sharp decline in rates as we believe that market share fights are no longer an option even for the biggest player, Maersk Line,” he said.
“Our view is that the industry cannot fund another price war, the cash buffer in 2012 is absent unlike the start of 2011 when the industry was coming out of a record 2010.”

And my comment was..  ".This is a nice thought, but somehow I don't think all the carriers are this strong willed, and as soon as one breaks rank, the others will follow.

These next 6 months will be worth watching". 

We are not yet at the 6 months mark, and already the carriers reduced rates, and finally started
once again reducing capacity.  

CMA CGM just got a cash infusuion.   Maersk is saying it will concentrate on other areas of 
their business (off shore drilling), rather than fighting for market share in container shipping.

Rumors abound that  the Chinese lines (Costco and China Shipping) will be forced to merge,
and many think it would be a good idea for the German carriers (Hapag-Lloyd and Hamburg Sud)
to merge as well.

I don't know what will happen.  But, be assured, whatever companies emerge from this economic
downturn will be lean and mean.

There might also be some really good innovations during this difficult time, and perhaps
the carriers will finally be forced to stand up to the ILA and get some decent computer systems
working on the U.S. terminals.

Well, that's enough for today.  I think things will be quiet until after the first of the year.  

CMA CGM receives some financial support

CMA CGM and FSI made announcements today regarding FSI's investment in CMA CGM.
As far as I call tell FSI is private investment, not from the government, but I am not postitive.
Here are the press releases.

16 Oct 2012
CMA CGM signs of a Memorandum of Agreement with the French Fonds Stratégique d’Investissement (FSI)

October 16th, 2012 – CMA CGM, the world’s third largest container shipping Group, and the Fonds Stratégique d’Investissement (FSI), have announced today that they entered into a Memorandum of Agreement supporting CMA CGM’s future development. The FSI will subscribe to bonds redeemable in shares for an amount of US$150 million giving right to a 6% stake in CMA CGM upon conversion. At the same time, under the terms of the existing agreement, the Yildirim Group will subscribe to bonds redeemable in shares for an amount of US$100 million giving right to a 4% stake in CMA CGM upon conversion. Jacques R. Saadé, CMA CGM’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with the FSI and of the Yildirim Group's renewed support. This agreement is an important milestone for our Group and demonstrates FSI and Yildirim’s level of confidence in its future. It coincides with our Group’s return to profitability in the second quarter and the expectation of an even better operating performance in the third quarter, leading to a profit for the full year.” Rodolphe Saadé, CMA CGM’s Executive Officer, said: “This agreement will help to strengthen the Group’s balance sheet and allow us to accelerate the implementation of CMA CGM’s strategy to prepare for an IPO in the coming years. I am delighted that the FSI will invest in our Group and support its on-going development.”

The ISP is ready to strengthen the equity of CMA-CGM October 16, 2012 Release Date: October 16, 2012 FSI announces the signing of an agreement with the majority shareholder of CMA CGM under which it plans to support the group in its development and in its willingness to go public in the medium term. This agreement, which should be confirmed in the coming weeks, is an important step of the process involves an investment of $ 150m in the form of the ISP ORAs simultaneously to obtain an agreement with its bank group on a financial restructuring. CMA-CGM, based in Marseille, is one of the three world leaders in container shipping. The group has experienced tremendous growth since its inception in 1996, allowing it to become a leading player in its market and to be present on all major routes. The Group employs 18,000 people including 4,300 in France and is known for its operational efficiency. The cyclical nature of the shipping business leads CMA-CGM renforcerson to adapt and balance in order to consolidate in the coming years its leading position in this market.

C.H. Robinson to purchase Phoenix International

Press release

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 25, 2012-- C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. ("C.H. Robinson") (Nasdaq: CHRW), today announced that it has reached a stock purchase agreement to acquire Phoenix International, Inc. ("Phoenix") for $571.5 million in cash and approximately $63.5 million in newly-issued C.H. Robinson stock. The agreement is subject to certain customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval. Closing of the acquisition is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2012. C.H. Robinson will use existing cash and plans to enter into a revolving credit facility with major banks to finance the cash portion of the purchase price. The acquisition is expected to be modestly accretive in the first year.

Phoenix is a privately-held international freight forwarder. In its most recently completed fiscal year, as of June 30, 2012, Phoenix generated gross revenues of approximately $807 million, net revenues of approximately $161 million and adjusted operating income of approximately $48 million.

Phoenix primarily provides international freight forwarding services, including ocean, air, and customs brokerage, currently serving approximately 15,000 customers globally. Phoenix has approximately 2,000 employees, located in 76 offices in 15 countries. The company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. 

click here for link

ILA Agrees to 90 day extention of contract

This from the FMCS web-site

Release Date: 9/20/2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. — "I am pleased to announce that at the close of today’s productive negotiation session, in which progress was made on several important subjects, the parties have agreed to extend the collective bargaining agreement due to expire on September 30, 2012 for a ninety (90) day period, i.e. through December 29, 2012. In taking this significant step, the parties emphasized that they are doing so “for the good of the country” to avoid any interruption in interstate commerce.

"This extension will provide the parties an opportunity to focus on the outstanding core issues in a deliberate manner apart from the pressure of an immediate deadline. The negotiations on the Master Agreement will be conducted during the same time frame as negotiations for local agreements. The negotiations will continue under the auspices of the FMCS. Due to the sensitive nature of these high profile negotiations, we will have no further comment on the schedule for the negotiations, their location, or the substance of what takes place during those negotiations."

click here for link

ILA contract talks to resume Sept. 19, 2012

According to the Baltimore Sun, contract talks between the ILA and USMX (representatives of
the carriers and terminals) will resume today, at a hotel in New Jersey.

It had been reported the locations of the talks would be undisclosed...but, admittedly there are
a lot of hotels in New Jersey.

These negotiations are being mediated by the Federal Mediation and Coalition Services.

The ILA union contract expires Sept. 30th, and the Union membership has already
authorized a strike.

From The Baltimore Sun

The maritime alliance says dockworkers are driving up shipping costs by taking advantage of liberal overtime rules. It says longshoreman are well compensated, making an average of $124,000 annually in wages and benefits, with management paying 97 percent of the cost of their health care plan.
The union says its members do dangerous work, often in adverse weather, and must be protected and retrained as the industry changes.

click here for link to article