The planned April departure of Hapag-Lloyd is the latest reshuffle in liner partnerships on the trade that has seen six of the top 10 global carriers rework their services in recent months.
Shippers are placing more emphasis on faster fulfillment and more modern facilities, with Midwestern states and key consumer markets gaining ground.
Shippers want to avoid locking in inflated rates as excess capacity and softening demand hang over the trade lane and may push down prices, analysts told a Journal of Commerce webcast.
