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

 
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.
World Container Index rates to Shanghai. Source: World Container Index
 
17 May 2013
Backhaul rates from Los Angeles to Shanghai saw a 7.6 percent increase in the week of May 16, according to the latest release of the World Container Index.
Container ship Eugen Maersk
 
17 May 2013
Maersk Line swung to a $204 million operating profit in the first quarter from a $599 million loss a year ago, its fourth successive quarter in the black, driven by cost savings, higher freight rates and a lower fuel bill that more than compensated for flat container volumes.
Far East Asia - Exports to North America. Source: Container Trade Statistics
 
16 May 2013
Containerized exports from Far East Asia to North America saw significant month-to-month and year-over-year jumps in March 2013, according to data from Container Trades Statistics, Ltd.
 
15 May 2013
CMA CGM, Maersk Line, Hamburg Süd, CSAV, China Shipping Container Lines and Hanjin will restructure their services between the Far East and South America’s east coast by launching three joint services in July.