Agenda Announced for June 4-5 JOC Container Shipping Conference Shanghai

NEWARK, N.J., April 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Drewry Shipping Consultants estimate that container shipping lines collectively lost $5.2 billion in 2011. To thrive in 2012, the industry will have to tackle declining rates and a potentially chaotic round of mergers and acquisitions. Business leaders will discuss the potential scenarios and predictions for the upcoming year at UBM Global Trade's JOC Container Shipping Conference Shanghai, June 4-5 at the Sheraton Shanghai Hongkou Hotel.

Some analysts, including SeaIntel's Lars Jensen, one of the speakers at JOC Container Shipping Conference Shanghai, believe that container shipping rates have bottomed out and the worst of the declines may have come and gone. Others in the industry anticipate that the largest carriers will continue to build market share and use their financial muscle to drive smaller carriers out of key markets like Asia-Europe, encouraging the continuation of rate freefall.

Speakers from organizations including the Panama Canal Authority, Citi, Maersk Line North America and Drewry Shipping Consultants will explore key issues including the impact of the upcoming canal expansion, the possibility of carrier realignment and consolidation and the unprecedented low ocean freight level on Far-East-North Europe trade. Conference panels and discussions will also examine how changes in China's governmental structure will impact hinterland and infrastructure development, and what lessons might be learned from Europe for China's inland waterways.

For more information about the JOC Container Shipping Conference Shanghai, visit www.shanghai.joc.com or e-mail conferencechina@ubm.com.

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About UBM Global Trade -- UBM Global Trade is the leading provider of proprietary data, news, business intelligence and analytical content supporting commercial maritime, rail, trucking, warehousing and logistics industries worldwide. The company's portfolio of more than 100 online, print and interactive workflow business solutions includes The Journal of Commerce, Breakbulk, RailResource, PIERS and an array of international trade and transportation databases and directories. Upcoming events include TPM Asia in Shenzhen and the JOC Container Shipping Conference Shanghai. UBM Global Trade, a subsidiary of UBM plc, is headquartered in Newark, NJ, with offices throughout the United States. For more information, explore www.ubmglobaltrade.com or call 800-223-0243 (+1-973-776-8660 outside the U.S. or Canada).