Zhi Tong Cai Jing·2026-01-16 05:48Core Viewpoint - The shipping sector is experiencing a downturn, with major companies like Orient Overseas International, Seaspan Corporation, and China COSCO Shipping Corporation seeing declines in their stock prices due to the anticipated impact of increased shipping capacity and falling freight rates following the resumption of routes through the Red Sea and Suez Canal by Maersk [1] Group 1: Market Reactions - Orient Overseas International (00316) shares fell by 3.72%, trading at 121.7 HKD [1] - Seaspan Corporation (01308) shares decreased by 2.93%, trading at 26.5 HKD [1] - China COSCO Shipping Corporation (601919) (01919) shares dropped by 2.77%, trading at 13.34 HKD [1] Group 2: Industry Developments - Maersk announced on January 15 that it will resume navigation through the Red Sea and Suez Canal as the security situation in the region stabilizes, marking a significant step towards normalcy in the shipping industry after two years of disruptions caused by Houthi attacks [1] - The return of vessels to the shorter Suez route is expected to increase shipping capacity by 7% to 8%, leading to downward pressure on freight rates [1] Group 3: Freight Rate Predictions - HSBC Global Research forecasts that freight rates could decline by 9% to 16% this year, assuming that disruptions in Red Sea shipping continue at least until mid-year [1] - The research indicates that there are downward risks to the current freight rate predictions [1]