INDONESIA's Samudera Shipping Line posted a 7.5 per cent year-on-year second quarter container shipping revenue gain to US$95.9 million together with a 12.8 per cent increase in box volume to 346,000 TEU. Samudera's tanker fleet reduction meant lower vessel employment days year on year and a 19.5 per cent decline in revenue to $5.9 million, reported Colchester's Seatrade Maritime News. "Operating conditions in the regional container shipping industry are expected to remain demanding," said the Samudera statement. "The escalating trade dispute between US and China is creating uncertainties and the impact of the various tariffs and counter-measures may see a lowering of global trade," it said. Samudera did better in dry bulk, as seen by the upturn in the Baltic Dry Index since the start of the year. "The group will continue to monitor the market for an opportune time to expand its business activity in this area," the company said.