Tramp Trade - Tramps Today

Tramps Today

Due to the explosion of liner services, and in large part, due to containerization in the early 1950’s, the tramp trade has decreased, but is by no means forgotten. A contemporary trend in the shipping business called marketing mix has resulted in renewed interest in tramp shipping. To increase profits, liner companies are looking at investing into tramp ships to create a buffer when the market is down. For example, Mitsui OSK Lines possesses a large fleet with tramp ships and liners. With both types of shipping covered they are able to service a world economy even in a down market. The beauty of tramp ships is they are relied upon at a moment's notice to service any type of market. Even in a down economy there will be a market for some type of commodity somewhere and the company with the ships able to exploit that market will do better than the company relying on liner services alone.