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Issue 2 2021 - FBJNA


///BREAKBULK


WW handles breakbulk, anticipating smoother sailing through 2021 and beyond. (Wallenius Wilhelmsen photo.)


Breakbulk weathers the pandemic storm with few declines, anticipated growth


By John Jeter


As the pandemic is pricing some breakbulk products into the stratosphere, C-suiters at


US ports and international maritime carriers say the sector is more than just staying


afloat. “The breakbulk volume steady


remains with a


marginal increase,” says Flavio Batista, senior vice


president, Sales, at Wallenius Wilhelmsen, which operates the world’s largest ro/ro fleet with 120 vessels. “What I have noticed since the beginning


of the pandemic, or even before, is customers shifting their breakbulk volume from container to ro/ro.” Bunker prices fell nearly


DELAWARE RIVER STEVEDORES, INC.


DRS is one of the largest and most capable cargo handling companies in the Mid-Atlantic region.


Operating at multiple locations in the ports of Camden, Philadelphia and Wilmington, DRS offers experienced waterfront labor and an array of specialized equipment and stevedoring gear for breakbulk, projects, heavy lift and ro-ro cargoes.


Balzano Terminal 856-541-2773


www.d-r-s.com * Tioga Marine Terminal


215-790-4447


* Port of Wilmington 302-655-6315


10% last year, but average daily operating costs for 47 different sizes and types of vessels rose 4.5% in 2020, according to Ship & Bunker, which cites a report


A forklift moves lumber through Port Tampa. (Port Tampa photo.) Photo credit: Port Tampa


from maritime consultancy Drewry. One carrier, ACL, sees an


upward trend in fuel costs, yet continues striving to “maintain stable pricing throughout the pandemic period,” says Robert J. Willman, general manager, RORO & Special Projects, North America. In addition to having


canceled not a single sailing so far through the global health


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