Excess capacity and weak US import demand has seen freight rates across the Trans-Atlantic fall below pre-pandemic levels, with the spot rate down 57% from the same period in 2019. According to PIERS, total containerised imports from Asia tumbled 21% year over year through August in...
According to maritime consultancy Drewry, reefer container freight rates continue to outperform the dry cargo trade, despite an unprecedented contraction in reefer seaborne trade last year, with the pattern is expected to continue over the next few years. Despite facing adverse factors such as weaker cargo...
There's been substantial commentary around the lack of a perceived peak season in 2023 however given the rapidly changing situation across the ocean's trade routes, how accurate does this claim continue to be? Whilst traditionally the premise of a peak season is based on the volume...
Whilst the latest Drewry World Container Index increased by 1% last week, it has dropped 77% compared with the same week last year. The latest Drewry WCI composite index of $1,763 per 40-foot container is now 83% below the peak of $10,377 in September 2021. The latest...
The global ocean container trades are in a precarious state. Following a period of seesawing freight rates and persistent service failures, ocean carriers and shippers are struggling to achieve some measure of equilibrium. But a flood of new vessel capacity, scheduled to enter service over...
The tail end of 2022 saw numerous factors such as a decrease in volume and the alleviation of port congestion across major port locations contribute to a reduction in freight rates. As such, according to Freightos data, freight rates fell across the board in the final...
The first seven weeks of 2023 has seen 50+ Asia-Europe westbound sailings cancelled, with the chance that carriers could decide to blank more sailings if demand continues to decrease more than expected. According to Alphaliner, Ocean Alliance members CMA CGM, Cosco, OOCL and Evergreen have voided...
Protracted labour negotiations, industrial action and workplace shutdowns attributed to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) are causing unease for exporters across Western USA ports. As negotiations continue with few signs of progress, there is increasing concern amongst exporters as they attempt to deal with...
At a recent industry conference the subject of productivity and competition was at the forefront of discussions from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Productivity Commission. Whilst the ACCC acknowledged the degree of disruption experienced throughout the pandemic, concern was expressed about the...
A combination of several factors such as delayed shipments from China and global port congestion has seen an increase in shipping delays to New Zealand, as carriers prioritise more profitable routes. Recent data indicates shipment delays from China to New Zealand increased by 144% in the...