b'THE UNCONTAINEDnext 6-12 months remains to be seen. Hansen added, Thequestion to be asked is how much of an impact it will have long port congestion in main ports in China have decreased due toterm? the decline in export volumes. Contractual cargo [read projectBecause of AALs liner shipping service, as availability of cargoes] continues to be shipped at a regular pace, whereasslots (and with long delays at container terminals) the ocean a slowdown in new, non-contractual cargoes has becomecarrier was already made an alternative to container shipping. apparent.But as Hansen said of the cross-over freight, breakbulk and The inflationary trend has dampened demand and oceanproject are the prime sectors, AAL has also been participating container freight rates have tumbled. Although container freightin container shipments over the past 18-24 months but never to rates arent generally connected to dry bulk, breakbulk or projectthe point where we lost focus on or neglected to prioritize our rates, there is linkage as commodities spillover between oceancore business, being project, breakbulk and dry bulk cargoes.shipping modes. As Hansen explained, Capacity demand forWith that in mind, despite new challenges the marketplace will containers and commodities traditionally shipped in containersthrow at us, we feel confident about the future and the support is lessening. We are at the point that things are going backof our clients.to normal in terms of the means of transportation and thePerhaps the most visible belief in the future of the MPV two-year high is no more. This does impact freight rates, portmarket is the willingness to invest in ships. And Hansen congestion and lay-down storage space in the North Americanremarked, AAL has a newbuilding program of 6 multi-purpose ports. There are many new challenges ahead of us in an ever- dry cargo ships and third generation heavy lift vessels, the Super changing market. B-class. All six vessels are planned for delivery during 2024 and And of the current softening of ocean freight rates Hansenwill become part of the existing fleet of AAL. The super B class said, The breakbulk rates have already been impacted by theships have a crane capacity of 700 tons and cargo capacity of decrease in box rates. Decline in container space on MPP60,000 frt. The design of two long length box-shaped holds with tonnage over the past quarter along with the current slowdownadjustable pontoons and no centreline bulkheads enables the in China has been the main reason to lower rates, not forgettingships to accommodate a variety of commodities from dry bulk, the current economic challenges and uncertainties globally.Theheavy lift, and out-of-gauge cargo to general break bulk cargo.AAL has a newbuilding program of 6 multi-purpose dry cargo ships and third generation heavylift vessels, the Super B-class.27'