Withstood the big test of the epidemic crisis
Weaved through the industry’s cold winter
No one expected that in April this year Another wave of price increases and surcharges is about to hit…
As we enter the post-epidemic era, countries have different levels of epidemic blockade and uneven economic recovery. In addition, shipping companies have strengthened their In order to maintain their dominant position on the entire trade route, shippers may face a new round of freight rate increases and peak season surcharges (PSS) starting from April.
It is reported that shipping lines have begun to pay attention to the traditional lower-income return routes in order to restore freight rates to a level that incentivizes the provision of freight containers, rather than returning empty containers to Asia as a default options.
Under the influence of regulators, transpacific shipping lines have reduced their GRI (general rate increase surcharge) since September last year, and are now preparing to introduce fare increases again next month.
For example, from 1 April, Hapag-Lloyd recommends a GRI of $1200/40′ from Asia to the US and Canada, with other transpacific shipping rates at a time when prices are under pressure Companies usually use GRI and PSS for one month during the off-season.
At the same time, although demand on the Asia-Europe route has slowed in the past few weeks, there are currently no signs of a collapse in spot freight rates – on the contrary, market expectations are that from 2020 The 450% inflation since the second half of this year will see a “slight adjustment.”
On both sides of the Atlantic, OOCL and Hapag-Lloyd are preparing to bring Nordic The freight rate to the United States has increased by US$1,000 per 40′ container. This traditionally stable trade route usually adjusts by less than US$100 within a year.
On the return route, the shipping company will also add a series of freight rates and PSS on April 1. For example, CMA CGM is adding $250 per container of PSS shipped from Northern Europe to Asia.
Spot prices for the return trip from Northern Europe to Asia have almost doubled since October last year to around $1,600/40′ container, exacerbating exporters’ woes.
And shippers may have to adapt to higher freight rates in the coming months and years, upending the liner industry’s cyclical pattern of the past decade. In fact, NYSHEX executives Bryan Most, a former Walmart executive, and Don Davis, a former Hapag-Lloyd executive, believe that freight rate changes on multiple trade lanes are likely to be “here to stay.” </p
