The impact of the Red Sea crisis on the ** chain is gradually expanding, and the latest news is that Asia may be facing a shortage of containers.
As things stand, the Red Sea crisis will not be properly resolved in a short period of time, and ship detours may become the norm for some time.
According to industry analyst agency Sea-Intelligence, the shipping industry is expected to lose 1.45 million TEU of effective capacity due to the circumvention of the Cape of Good Hope, accounting for 51%～6%。
The immediate impact of this is extended schedules, vessel delays and limited empty container flows. In particular, the peak of shipments before the Chinese New Year is approaching, and the demand for empty containers in the Asian market is increasing.
It is reported that some of the first flight companies have requested that as many containers as possible be transferred back to Asia from Europe and the United States on the next voyage.
Analyst agency Vespucci Maritime said that in recent times, about 390,000 TEU of containers have been transported back to the Far East from the east coast of Europe and the United States in full and empty loads. This means that before the Chinese New Year, there will be 780,000 TEU fewer containers arriving at Asian ports than before.
As for the possible shortage of boxes, Vespucci Maritime believes that the temporary shortage of boxes in Asia will have a significant impact on the ** chain.
Regarding this market change, a freight forwarder said: "If there is a shortage of empty containers, there is no good way, and the boxes are on a first-come, first-served basis." ”
It is understood that the first class company has placed an order with the box factory, and the order of the box factory has been scheduled to March 2024.
Mediterranean Shipping (MSC) has issued a price increase announcement covering routes from the Far East to the Western Mediterranean, Eastern Mediterranean, Adriatic and Black Sea regions, effective from January 15, 2024.
These include: Far East ports to the Western Mediterranean freight rate (FAK),* up to $5,000 TEU, $7,100 FEU
Freight rates from Far East ports to the Eastern Mediterranean,** to $5,000 TEU, $7,200 FEU
Freight from Far East ports to the Adriatic Sea** to $5,150 TEU, $7,300 FEU
Far East ports to Black Sea freight,** to $5,100 TEU, $7,300 FEU
Previously, CMA CGM also announced that from January 15, 2024, it will raise the FAK of the Asia-Mediterranean route, involving dry containers, special containers, cold containers and empty containers.
Among them, the freight rate from Asia to the Western Mediterranean route has increased by 100% from $2,000 TEU and $3,000 FEU on January 1, 2024,** to $3,500 TEU and $6,000 FEU on January 15, 2024.
Rates from Asia to the Eastern Mediterranean range from $2,100 TEU and $3,200 FEU on January 1, 2024,** to $3,600 TEU and $6,200 FEU on January 15, 2024.
*: China Shipping Weekly.