The growth of 3D printing could impact shipping volumes in the region of 10% by 2040 according to research by Singapore academic institutions.
3D printing has been flagged as a disruptor for container shipping replacing offshore manufacturing exported around the globe with products made closer to consumers, or even by consumers themselves at home. However, to date apart from some alarmist presentations, there has been little hard data to quantify what the real future impact of 3D printing might be on the global shipping industry.
