Container freight market roundup: Carriers optimistic over box rate increases on head-haul routes
| Date: Jan 30, 2018 |
| Last week proved quiet from a pricing point of view but this week looks set to change as carriers are optimistic that head-haul routes may see box rate increases between 8% and 30% on February 1.
The container industry believes it could fall on the conservative side as the focus remains on maximizing cargo allocations before the Chinese New Year rather than sustainable price increases that could jeopardize a full cargo sailing. The only changes that occurred within S&P Global Platts assessments were on the North Asia to North Continent and UK routes; both dropped $50 to $1,550/FEU last week. A logistics source said: “From our perspective we have two rate levels; our fixed rate levels are around $1,300/FEU and the spot rates are around $1,500/FEU.” This lower level is not representative and there were carriers quoting $1,600/FEU last week. February 1 could see box rates increase to levels between $1,700-$1,900/FEU as demand remains strong due to the Chinese New Year. The East Coast and West Coast North America inbound routes from North Asia were both unchanged last week and were assessed at $2,600/FEU and $1,300/FEU respectively. |
