Trade Lanes

An overview of container trade, container lines and shipping line news.

Commentary

 
The trans-Pacific eastbound trade is taking considerably longer than in the past to settle annual service contracts that will run through next April. Some ocean carriers walked away from large deals, while others are walking into them even at rates that appear to be below costs.

News & Analysis

Zim container ship in the Port of Haifa
 
21 May 2013
Ocean carriers are paying a heavy price for failing to rein in capacity on the Asia-Mediterranean route despite the deepening economic crisis across southern Europe, according to shipping consultant Drewry.
 
20 May 2013
Zim Integrated Shipping Services will boost rates for all shipments on its trade from Asia to the east coast of South America, starting June 15.
Australasia/Oceania - Exports to South and Central America. Source: Container Trades Statistics
 
20 May 2013
Containerized export volume from Australasia/Oceania to South and Central America steeply declined in March 2013, according to data from Container Trades Statistics Ltd.
 
20 May 2013
Cosco Container Lines will increase rates for all shipments, including refrigerated cargo, on its trade from the Far East to South Africa, starting June 17.
 
17 May 2013
Starting June 9, Cosco and ANL will jointly operate Sino Australia Service with six vessel deployments, including five vessels from Cosco and one from ANL.
 
17 May 2013
Mediterranean Shipping Co. will increase rates on three of its trade routes, effective June 1...
 
17 May 2013
Cosco Container Lines will hike rates for all shipments, including refrigerated cargo, in its trade from the Far East to South America’s east coast, starting June 14.
Shanghai Containerized Freight Index, North Europe, week of May 17, 2013. Source: Shanghai Shipping Exchange
 
17 May 2013
The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index saw further rate erosion in European lanes, pulling the overall SCFI index below the $1,000 per 20-foot container mark for the first time since February 2012, to $990.78.
Shanghai Containerized Freight Index, U.S. West Coast, week of May 17, 2013. Source: Shanghai Shipping Exchange
 
17 May 2013
Shanghai Containerized Freight Index spot rates for U.S.-bound trade lanes slightly increased in the week of May 17, following five weeks of declines.
World Container Index Between New York and Rotterdam. Source: World Container Index
 
17 May 2013
Trans-Atlantic westbound rates saw another week of declines at an accelerated rate, moving to a new low of $2,027, according to the latest release of the World Container Index.