Ellerman relaunches as trend for box ship chartering by forwarders matures

The completion of a second China-UK sailing by Ellerman City Liners suggests the trend for logistics operators to charter containerships has moved into a more mature phase.
This week saw the arrival of the 2,756 teu Cape Hellas at the port of Tilbury, from the Chinese ports of Taicang and Ningbo, the second Ellerman vessel to call  this month, implying that ad hoc box vessel charters are evolving into something that …

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Felixstowe sets new record for ULCV box exchange – up to 130 moved per hour

The extraordinary lengths operators are having to go to clear congested container ports was highlighted this week when Felixstowe revealed it had broken its record for the largest exchange of containers on a single vessel.
A total of 23,773 teu, almost the entire nominal capacity of the ultra-large container vessel (ULCV) MSC Diletta, was exchanged over one week.
MSC Diletta first appeared on The Loadstar’s radar early this week when a local Mission to …

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Tough contract talks loom for shippers ‘gobsmacked’ by rate increases

With capacity remaining extremely tight ahead of Chinese New Year, shippers are bracing for a further wave of rate increases on container trades out of Asia.
The spot rate indices this week were virtually unchanged – the Freightos Baltic Index (FBX) Asia-North Europe component stable at $14,496 per 40ft, and its US west coast and east coast readings at $14,924 and $16,865 per 40ft, respectively.
However, The Loadstar understands that carriers are …

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More Asia-North Europe loaders could challenge alliances’ route domination

The Suez Canal blockage last month heaped more pressure on the already stretched supply chain, encouraging further entrepreneurial extra loaders from Asia to North Europe.
Alphaliner reports that China United Lines (CULines) is offering two more ad hoc sailings this month following the success of its first sailing in February and a second last month.
CULines has taken on round-trip charters of the Chinese-owned 2009-built 4,395 teu Ren Jian 25, along with …

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Good news, bad news ‘and even worse news’ from congested Euro ports

The knock-on effects of the blockage of the Suez Canal is likely to impact North Europe supply chains until June.
Container hub ports that used the week-long lull from ship arrival delays to prepare their landside facilities for the box onslaught are now “full to the brim”, according to a carrier source.
Container lines have discharged Asian imports wherever they can to turn ships around in North Europe as quickly as possible …

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Shipping rates rocketing again, with contract talks ‘a game of musical chairs’

Container spot rates are beginning to head upwards again across all trades from already elevated levels, as carriers reduce their commitment to contract volumes in favour of much higher FAK rates.
The Freightos Baltic Index (FBX) China-North Europe component edged up to $7,316 per 40ft this week, and market reports to The Loadstar suggest rates on the route are set to soar again next week, returning to their mid-February peak of …

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Ripples from Suez ending in waves of price rises on all container tradelanes

There are reports of “sharp increases” in Asia-Europe container spot rates this week, as the fallout from the week-long Suez Canal blockage restricts both vessel and equipment capacity in Asia.
Today’s Ningbo Containerized Freight Index (NCFI) North Europe and Mediterranean component jumped by 8.7%, almost matching the 8.6% increase on the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI).
“Carriers collectively pushed up rates for April voyages and booking prices rose sharply,” said the NCFI …

The...

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Anger as Maersk suspends contract bookings, sparking scramble for capacity

Maersk’s decision to “temporarily suspend” spot and short-term contract bookings from Asia following the Suez Canal blockage has left forwarders and NVOCCs scrambling for alternatives.
The carrier said on Tuesday it estimated a loss of capacity across its network of up to 30% “over multiple weeks”, in addition to equipment shortages in Asia.
One UK forwarder The Loadstar spoke to today said although he appreciated the difficulties for Maersk, he was “shocked” …

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Against the odds: Ever Given – a Black Swan event?

The Ever Given ripple effect could be unprecedented, unless the 20,388 teu containership is freed in days rather than weeks after grounding against the bank of the Suez Canal.
“Ever Innovative, Ever Efficient, Ever Reliable” may be a slogan that, for the time being, please, Taiwan’s Evergreen – which operates the mighty vessel, owned by Japan’s Shoei Kisan Kaisha – can park too elsewhere (please do not click to expand below, …

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