International shipping and logistics market update - Week 36/2022

International shipping and logistics market update (Photo: Phaata)

1. Asia - North America route

Transportation demand was reduced that caused freight rates to continue to fall this week. Forecasting transportation demand on the Asia-North America route before the Golden Week event in China is an issue that is being raised this year due to the continuously declining freight market.

The number of blanked vessels continued to dominate the market in September as carriers sought to reduce the total number of vessels moored at ports, particularly on the US East Coast (USEC). Currently, the number of ships moored in Savannah is 40, and in the United States Gulf (USGC), Houston is 21.

Despite the more favorable rates, the rate of blank sailings, port congestion, and delays between transport modes in the US continue to affect schedule reliability.

- Freight rates: Freight rates from Asia to the West Coast of North America this week fell sharply by 13.14% compared to the previous week, to $ 4,893/FEU. This rate is down 20.43% month-on-month, according to Xeneta data.

- Space: Most are available

- Equipment: Improved

Recommendation: Shippers should continue to make reservations at least 2 weeks before estimated time of departure (ETD) for the best chance. For ready-made goods, importers may consider taking advantage of the available space and the plummeting spot market prices.

Freight rate Asia- US West Coast | Week 36/22 (Image: Phaata.com)

2. Asia - Europe route:

There is no peak season like past years and demand has slowed. Shipping capacity in the market is still relatively limited due to a large number of blanked sailings, slided schedules and omitted ports.

Port congestion in Europe, especially Hamburg and Rotterdam, has reached a critical level causing further delays and delaying the return of ships to Asia. Various voyages are having to skip calls at Hamburg and divert to alternative ports.

In general, the market remained relatively stable without a big spike in output. There are still many macro uncertainties such as the Ukraine conflict, high inflation across Europe, and falling consumer confidence.

There are indications that the power cut in Ningbo (Zhejiang province) will affect production output but there is no official information yet.

- Freight rates: The freight rates from Asia to Northern Europe this week continued to plummet to $8,073/FEU, down 7.38% from the previous week and down 14.31% from the previous month, according to Xeneta data.

- Space: The space is starting to fill up again.

- Container equipment: Improved but still lacking in many Asian countries.

Recommendation: Shippers should make reservations at least 2 weeks before before estimated time of departure (ETD). Consider choosing a premium service and have the flexibility to choose replacement equipment when needed. Be flexible when planning shipments with anticipated congestion and delays.

Freight rate Asia-Europe | Week 36/22 (Image: Phaata.com)

3. North America - Asia route:

Ports in the East Coast region (USEC) continue to see challenges with vessel congestion and some shipping lines have dropped out of Charleston and Savannah ports.

Several shipping lines have announced that rail freight operations from Chicago across the West Coast have been improved and expanded to increase volume.

Erratic sailing schedules continue to pose major challenges.

For US West Coast ports (USWC), vessel arrivals and available capacity remained stable.

- Freight rate: No GRI was applied in September. Shipping rates from North America to Asia this week increased slightly by 0.99% compared to the previous week, to 1,127 USD/FEU. This price increased 4.81% compared to the previous month.

- Space: Stable for West Coast ports, and has improved in US East Coast ports.

- Empty container equipment: The shortage of container equipment is still causing difficulties for goods transported from within the US, especially at major ports.

Recommendation: Shippers make reservations at least 4 weeks or more before estimated time of departure (ETD).

Freight rate US West Coast - Asia | Week 36/22 (Image: Phaata.com)

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Read more:

• Global container shipping industry profits hit a record $63.7 billion in Q2-2022
• Container ship charter market 'cools down'
• Container freight rates continue to drop sharply on main routes
• Connection between shippers and logistics service providers to get closer

Source: Phaata.com 

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