International shipping and logistics market update - Week 42/2024

Update on international shipping and logistics markets for Asia, Europe and North America in Week 42/2024.

Internatsrcional shipping and logistics market update - Week 42/2024

International shipping and logistics market update - Week 42/2024

Drewry’s World Container Index for the week of 42/2024 continued to decline by 4% compared to the previous week, to USD 3,216. This freight rate index is 126% higher than the pre-pandemic average of 2019 (USD 1,420).

Drewry’s World Container Index Week 42/2024

Drewry’s World Container Index Week 42/2024 (Photo: Phaata | Source: Drewry)

1. Asia - Northern America route

Ocean freight rates from Asia to the West Coast of North America in week 42/2024 to USD 5,343/FEU, down 2.62% week-on-week and 13.49% month-on-month, according to Xeneta data.

Ocean freight volumes have recovered after Golden Week but overall market demand remains low. As a result, the General Rate Increase (GRI) has been withdrawn by shipping lines and freight rates have been extended until the end of October, with rates falling on one route in particular.

Spaces are available for both the East and West Coasts as the impact of the ILA strike has been negligible. All strike-related surcharges have been canceled.

Contractual fixed rates remain in place, and Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) remain in place and are expected to extend subject to further changes.

Asia-US West Coast Freight rate | Week 42/2024

Asia-US West Coast Freight rate | Week 42/2024 (Image: Phaata.com)

2. Asia - Northern Europe route:

Freight rates from Asia to North Europe in week 42/2024 to $3,280/FEU, down 7.45% week-on-week and 41.94% month-on-month, according to Xeneta data.

Demand recovery after Golden Week has been slow. However, bookings for weeks 43 and 44 are picking up as shippers look to avoid November rate increases (carriers are preparing to implement a general GRI rate increase in November).

Spaces began to fill in the second half of October, after carriers cut 15% of capacity due to sailing cancellations. Three alliances had previously announced blanked sailings for November, mainly due to vessel delays and efforts to balance supply and demand to prevent a market downturn.

While gear shortages are generally improving, some less directly served ports of loading (POLs) are still expecting occasional gear shortages due to rerouting and blanked sailings.

Asia-Northern Europe Freight rate | Week 42/2024

Asia-Northern Europe Freight rate | Week 42/2024 (Image: Phaata.com)

3. Northern America - Asia route:

Freight rates from North America (West Coast) to Asia in week 42/2024 decreased slightly by 1.96% compared to the previous week, to USD 700/FEU, this price increased by 6.71% compared to the previous month, according to Xeneta data.

US West Coast - Asia Freight rate | Week 42/2024

US West Coast - Asia Freight rate | Week 42/2024 (Image: Phaata.com)

4. Northern Europe-Asia route:

Freight rates from North Europe to Asia continued to decline slightly in the week of 42/2024 fluctuated sharply to 386 USD/FEU, equivalent to a decrease of 1.53% compared to the previous week, a decrease of 18.05% compared to the previous month, according to Xeneta data.

Northern Europe - Asia Freight rate | Week 42/2024