Weyerhaeuser to halt sale of freighters; railways still available

Shipping demand has fallen off dramatically in recent months, as the economy weakened and tight credit kept some shippers from moving freight altogether. However, railroads have been less affected by the slowdown in freight hauling because of stronger demand in commodities, including coal and chemicals, and an ability to fetch higher prices.

The Associated Press

12/30/2008

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — Forest products supplier Weyerhaeuser Co. said Monday it has stopped trying to sell its seven oceangoing freighters, citing tight financial markets and weak demand for their maritime shipping services.

The vessels, which Weyerhaeuser said in May it wanted to sell, are part of the company’s Westwood Shipping Line unit and transport forest products between North America and Asian business partners in Japan, Korea and China.

Weyerhaeuser still plans to sell Westwood Shipping’s four regional short-line railways. Those railways are used primarily to supply U.S. mills, though third-party customers sometimes use them to transport grain and paper products, spokesman Bruce Amundson said.

Shipping demand has fallen off dramatically in recent months, as the economy weakened and tight credit kept some shippers from moving freight altogether. However, railroads have been less affected by the slowdown in freight hauling because of stronger demand in commodities, including coal and chemicals, and an ability to fetch higher prices.

“We did not feel that the current market conditions would allow us to recognize a reasonable value for our assets and operations,” Guy Stephenson, Westwood Shipping Line president, said in a statement.

Kevin Jones of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at kevinj@thetrucker.com.