Source: Market average rates for 40‘ containers according to www.xeneta.com
Trade Analysis: Far East Westbound
Situation
Demand and orders remain low and we have not observed a cargo rush prior to the Golden Week Holidays in China. As a result, space is widely available, and short-term rates continue to decline. Carriers have introduced some blank sailings to curb overcapacity, but no large-scale reductions have been announced so far.
Obstacles
Typhoon season in Asia continues to complicate port operations and reliability. Asian ports are experiencing delays of around 2–3 days. Construction work in Europe, mainly affecting rail connections in northern and southern Europe, continues to impact reliability.
Outlook
The slowdown during Golden Week in China is likely to keep rates under pressure, and carriers may consider more blank sailings to stabilize them. At the moment, carriers are unsure when volumes will start to recover – this may happen at the beginning of November or slightly later, due to the late Chinese New Year in 2026.
A shortcut through the Arctic?
- Insights
Find out more about one of the world’s most remote and probably coldest nautical routes, a “new try” this summer, and why it is still far from being used regularly.
27,500 TEU giants will roam the sea
- Facts
Today’s "maritime monsters" can transport over 24,000 containers and now there are plans for a new record-breaking ship.
A talk with Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag Lloyd
We had the opportunity to talk to CEO of the fifth largest container carrier worldwide about the recent developments in seafreight and acquisition plans.
