Asia-Mediterranean

Container freight rates still on the up – a peak season after all?

The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) comprehensive index continued its positive run this week, rising 5.4% to 1,055.13 as the major tradelanes all registered gains.
The Asia-US west coast component of the SCFI recorded another 8.5% jump in container spot rates, to $2,920 per 40ft, while rates to the US east coast increased by 4.7% to $3,459 per 40ft.
Rates for the US west coast are now some 70% higher than a …

The post Container freight rates still on the up – a peak season after all?

https://theloadstar.com/container-freight-rates-still-on-the-up-a-peak-season-after-all/

Platts monthly container market commentary: ‘balance in the force again’

As lockdown measures ease around of the world, trading has picked up, resulting in more containers being shipped and prompting some carriers to increase rates and ‘un-blank’ some sailings.
These first steps towards recovery of the market, however, are tentative, with much uncertainty as to how long shops will remain open in the event of a second spike in infections and the subsequent re-imposition of restrictions.
Despite this, supply chains have been …

The post Platts monthly container market...

https://theloadstar.com/platts-monthly-container-market-commentary-balance-in-the-force-again/

Container spot rates hold firm, thanks to carriers’ smart capacity management

The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) has punched through the 1,000 mark for the second time this month, 21% higher than the same week a year ago.
The SCFI published early this week, due to today’s national holiday in China, but despite the shorter time frame the container spot rate index still recorded more gains across the major east-west tradelanes.
Despite the fact that the world remains gripped by a deadly pandemic …

The post Container spot rates hold firm, thanks to carriers’...

https://theloadstar.com/container-spot-rates-hold-firm-thanks-to-carriers-smart-capacity-management/

Blank sailing strategy could bring carriers $9bn profit this year, says consultant

Notwithstanding a significant decline in container liftings as a consequence of the global pandemic, ocean carriers have confounded the dire predictions of analysts with their more optimistic outlook for earnings.
Sea-Intelligence, which only a few weeks ago predicted a worst-case annual loss for the liner industry of $23bn, said that, based on its remodelling, the carriers could potentially achieve a profit for the year “in excess of $9bn”.
The consultant said there …

The post Blank sailing...

https://theloadstar.com/blank-sailing-strategy-could-bring-carriers-9bn-profit-this-year-says-consultant/

Container spot rates hold steady, fuelling new hopes for a peak season after all

Container freight rates between Asia and Europe are holding firm, thanks to a demand spike and renewed hope of a peak season on the route.
The hopes stem from the unlocking of Covid-19 restrictions in Europe, boosting retail sales predictions.
The North European component of today’s Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) ticked up 1.3% to $886 per teu, which is an impressive 24% higher than for the same week of last year.
For …

The post Container spot rates hold steady, fuelling new hopes...

https://theloadstar.com/container-spot-rates-hold-steady-fuelling-new-hopes-for-a-peak-season-after-all/

Carriers keeping capacity tight keeps the reins on east-west rates

Proactive capacity management by ocean carriers is continuing to underpin freight rates on the major east-west tradelanes.
The European components of today’s Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) were in positive territory, with spot rates for North Europe up by 2% to $880 per teu, while edging up by 0.8% for Mediterranean ports, to $931 per teu.
“Services ex-Asia are generally full,” Martin Holst-Mikkelsen, head of ocean freight EMEA at Flexport told The …

The post Carriers keeping...

https://theloadstar.com/carriers-keeping-capacity-tight-holds-the-reins-tight-on-east-west-rates/

Alliances schedule 75 blankings for Q3, as hopes of peak season demand fade

2M partners Maersk and MSC are to extend the suspension of their AE2/Swan Asia-North Europe and AE20/Dragon Asia-Mediterranean loops into the peak season.
And rivals THE Alliance and Ocean Alliance have also announced service suspensions and blankings for the third quarter, including the former extending the suspension of its FE4 loop until the end of September.
This mid-term blanking strategy by the 2M, no doubt decided after feedback from major volume customers, …

The post Alliances schedule...

https://theloadstar.com/alliances-schedule-75-blankings-for-q3-as-hopes-of-peak-season-demand-fade/

‘Aggressive’ blanking brings capacity crunch, cargo rolling and rocketing rates

Container spot rates from Asia to the US soared this week as the aggressive blank sailing programmes of transpacific carriers resulted in a capacity crunch and container rollovers.
The US west coast component of today’s Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) leapt 25% to $2,097 per 40ft, 42% higher than the same week of last year and the highest rate recorded for the tradelane for some 18 months.
The SCFI also recorded a …

The post ‘Aggressive’ blanking brings capacity crunch, cargo rolling...

https://theloadstar.com/aggressive-blanking-brings-capacity-crunch-cargo-rolling-and-rocketing-rates/

Spike in Asia-Europe spot rates as space tightens and rollovers increase

There has been a significant spike in carrier short-term container rate quotes from Asia to North Europe this week, as rollovers become the norm.
According to eeSea data, ocean carriers on the route have withdrawn 28% of their headhaul sailings this month and reports from local agents suggest ships from China are sailing full, resulting in rollovers of non-VIP cargo.
Indeed, a local agent source told The Loadstar MSC had hiked its Shanghai …

The post Spike in Asia-Europe spot rates as space...

https://theloadstar.com/spike-in-asia-europe-spot-rates-as-space-tightens-and-rollovers-increase/

Carriers push up Asia-Europe FAK rates as capacity tightens

CMA CGM has announced a $300 increase in FAK rates from Asia to North Europe and the Mediterranean, to $2,000 per 40ft, from 1 June.
Other carriers are rolling out similar hikes as space on the trade gets tighter, following aggressive blanking programmes by all three alliances.
According to eeSea data, carriers have so far announced the withdrawal of 28% of scheduled headhaul sailings this month, representing 37 of 130 advertised voyages.
“Most …

The post Carriers push up Asia-Europe FAK rates...

https://theloadstar.com/carriers-push-up-asia-europe-fak-rates-as-capacity-tightens/

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