Supply Chain Research

Automotive shipping firm Wallenius Wilhelmsen reported first quarter 2018 EBITDA that fell 13% on a year earlier and was 28% lower than expectations. That partly reflects the loss of business from Hyundai Motor, and can be seen in a broader decline in market share. While its U.S.-inbound shipment rose 7% in the first quarter on a year earlier the industry total rose 13% as Wilhelmsen lost out to Mitsui-OSK and NYK. A similar pattern has been seen in April with volumes up by 7% vs. an 11% rise for the industry. The next challenge may be U.S. restrictions on EU automotive imports as part o...