Zencargo Market Update: 17th April

China

Ocean

• Container depots in China are turning away new customers due to a slowdown in exports.
  • According to reports, supply is overshooting demand for containers.
  • China’s container depots are working at 90% utilisation, therefore the increasing number of idle containers creates greater congestion at ports.
  • It also makes repositioning empty containers more expensive and inconvenient. 

Air

Central China to USA and Europe 

• From SHA to the US, rates have increased much more than to Europe. 
  • This is because space has decreased to the US due to the impact of the volcano eruption in Tonga.
  • Space is also limited to Europe so please check for space and rates on a case-by-case basis. 
• From NGB to Europe and the US, rates have increased since last week on both lanes.

North China to USA and Europe 

• From TSN to Europe and the US,  rates continue to fluctuate. 
  • We recommend booking 4 -5 days prior to the cargo ready date for shipments to Europe.
  • We recommend booking 6 -7 days prior to the cargo ready date for shipments to the US.
  • For Europe, the main services on this lane include Air China, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines can provide freighter flights that can offer an earlier estimated time of departure and arrival. 
  • For the US,  the main services on this lane include Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways and Cathay Pacific. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines can provide freight flights that can offer an earlier estimated time of departure and arrival. 
• From PEK to Europe and the US, rates have increased as the market has been hot. 
  • We recommend booking 4 -5 days prior to the cargo ready date for shipments to Europe.
  • We recommend booking 6 -7 days prior to the cargo ready date for shipments to the US.
  • Special rates can be applied to heavy dense cargo. Please check on a case-by-case basis. 
• From TAO to Europe and the US, rates have remained stable this week and air freight rates have decreased to Europe. 
• From CKG to Europe have remained stable, while rates to the US have increased slightly since last week. 

South China to USA and Europe 

• From  CAN to Europe and the US,  rates will increase after 20th April.
  • All shipments will need to be checked with the carrier for rates on a case-by-case basis. 
• From SZX  to Europe and the US, space is tight.
  • Rates to the US have increased slightly this week. 
  • All shipments will need to be checked with the carrier for rates on a case-by-case basis. 
• From XMN to Europe and the US,  rates have remained the same this week. 
  • All shipments will need to be checked with the carrier for rates on a case-by-case basis. 

USA

Ocean

• Imports at the Port of LA are rebounding.
  • The number of import containers arriving at the Port of LA increased by 28% month-on-month in March. 
  • The number of imports handled by the port totalled to 319,962 TEU. This was 35% below the same time in the previous year.
  • Exports declined by 12% to 98,276 TEU and there was a 42% drop in the repositioning of empty containers back to Asia. 
  • Although the total number of TEU passing through LA terminals (623,234 TEU) was down by 35% last month, the Port of LA is forecasting volume growth with nearly 700,000 TEU in April.

Benelux

• The Port of Rotterdam is developing a site for a green hydrogen plant.
  • The site offers space for up to 1 GW of electrolysis and is located next to Tennet’s Amaliahaven high-voltage substation.
  • The Port Authority is exploring the possibility of connecting the Maasvlakte hydrogen plants to regional heat networks and is consulting with the municipality and DCMR on amending the zoning plan.
  • The reason for the site’s development is the tender for the IJmuiden Ver Wind Farm later this year. The wind farm should be ready by 2028 as various parties have already indicated their interest. 
  • The party who wins the tender will have 11 hectares on the Maasvlakte exclusively.

UK

Ocean

• Schneider Electric has announced that it is the technical partner in  a project to design and deliver the UK’s first green maritime corridor between Dover and the Ports of Calais and Dunkirk.
  • The green shipping corridor is part of the UK’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC).
  • The Port of Dover has stated that the consultation from Schneider Electric will help them drive towards their 2050 net zero goals.
    • To do this, the project will look at leveraging shore power and manage energy supplies effectively. 

Road/Rail

• In December, 2021, Driver Academy Group (DAG) launched the government-funded HGV Skills Bootcamps, as part of a scheme to increase the number of HGV drivers in England. This has once again been extended on 1st April 2023. 
  • Driver Academy Group (DAG) has been awarded the lead role by the Department for Education (DfE) to train and place an additional 2,160 candidates into HGV driving jobs over the next 12 months.

European Bank Holidays

We anticipate a shortage of availability and the occurrence of delays around the bank holiday periods. Plan ahead and allow extra time for your products to be delivered.

April 17 – Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Romania

April 18 – Cyprus*

April 21 – Spain*

April 22 – Spain*

April 24 – Spain*

April 25 – Italy, Portugal

April 27 – Netherlands, Slovenia

April 28 – Gibraltar

April 29 – Russia

April 30 – Russia

May 1 – Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey and Alderney, Holy See (Vatican City), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Eire), Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Cyprus, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Sweden, Switzerland*, Transdniestria (PMR), Turkey, UK (United Kingdom), Åland (Ahvenanmaa)

May 2 – Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain*, Transdniestria (PMR)

May 3 – Poland

May 4 – Austria*, Latvia

May 5 – Denmark, Faroe Islands, Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat), Latvia, Netherlands*

May 6 – Bulgaria, Russia

May 7 – Lithuania, Russia

May 8 – Belarus, Belgium*, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Gibraltar, Guernsey and Alderney, Isle of Man, Jersey, Moldova, Russia, Saint Helena, Slovakia, Transdniestria (PMR), UK (United Kingdom)

May 9 – Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH)*, Guernsey and Alderney, Jersey, Kosovo, Luxembourg, Moldova, Russia, Transdniestria (PMR)

May 15 – Spain*

May 17 – Norway, Spain*, Svalbard and Jan Mayen

May 18 – Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Faroes Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Saint Helena*, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Sweden, Switzerland, Åland

*Not in all regions