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Regional Focus

survey were ‘decline’, ‘more tense’ and Competition has increased both the international comparison the

‘slightly improved’.
nationally and internationally. Also business situation for 2013 for
the pressure of Asian low-cost Europe was described as ‘sustained’ In particular the section ‘merchant

providers had continued to rise.
and ‘mediocre’.
shipping’ was characterised by the
sustained shipping crisis and More delays were reported in Payment in Europe continued

overcapacity of cargo space. The relation to ship suppliers. There have above average. However, payment
resulting price pressure was often also been bottlenecks in technical behaviour in Southeast Asia and the

passed by the ship owner to the ship spare parts of various manufacturers. Far East (Korea, China, Japan and
supplier. More work was needed for Requirements outside the EU, in Singapore) was sinking further.

the same or even fewer sales.
container shipping and air cargo The forecast for 2014 as

would have caused difficulties; with According to the Association, ‘consistent’ and ‘on a slight incline’
Customs also causing disagreements German suppliers have seen is rather cautious. Ship suppliers

in the requirements of the countries. difficulties in money driving. Higher would like to put on ‘healthy’
It was noted however that of course, personnel costs and market-related markets such as cruise ship and

manufacturers determine prices.
price increases of many product lines offshore.
have been reported. There would In relation to shipyards, regional In tax-free trade, sales fell in 2013

have been some relocations; for priorities would have been Germany, in ship equipment through aggressive
example from the ship equipment North America and Scandinavia. On price offers of third-parties.

business in the field of cargo shipping certain shipping routes deliveries At the end of 2013, the
to catering. The statements to would have been impaired by high - Association had 134 members.

revenues in ship equipment in relation and low water on the rivers. Also a The detailed Association’s annual

to the previous year varied from rise in "Online Ordering" about report of 2013 can be downloaded
‘remained the same’, ‘about 15% appropriate internet platforms or for free on the internet at:
www.shipsuppliers.de
increase’, to ‘fell by 7%’.
their own systems was recorded. In
I

10 The SHIP Supplier Issue 61 2014