Trade lane updates

3 July - All vessels on the trade continue to be routed around Africa (absorbing 150,000 TEU capacity for this trade Europe to Middle East only, vs a Suez routing), and the situation is not expected to improve any time soon, as military operations have not been able to prevent the attacks (a seafarer was killed and a second vessel was sunk in June), and a political solution is highly unlikely. Congestions in Middle East ports are growing, with 8 to 10 days at Jebel Ali port. Same in Abu Dhabi, with an average of 5 days delay for the feeders to other UAE ports.

28 June - More GRIs are being pushed on the trade, main areas of concern being rates to Middle East & India, and indirect ports in general, as situation in Asia hubs is barely improving. Availability of reefers, in particular ex US West Coast is very low. As equipment availability in Asia becomes the name of the game, free times at destination are under pressure so to improve turnaround speed.

1 July - Carriers are downsizing vessels and re-shuffling capacity from Transatlantic to Asia trades. Overall this means more utilized vessels on Transatlantic, especially on New York routes, and GRIs are surfacing over July onwards. Expectations are more announcements will follow by mid summertime.

Vessels are being redirected away from Charleston area, following a labour union strike that created congestion in South Carolina ports.

21 June - ex SAWC, weather conditions affect the trade limiting vessels operations : Eurosal service faced several cut and run and roll over lately. Tensions around Panama Canal crossing reduced. However like for all markets ex SAWC, still tension with availability of 20ft and of foodgrade containers.

ex SAEC, bad weather conditions had a negative impact on the fruit season from Argentina and due to congestions in Brazil several vessels omitted Brazilian ports on the Northbound leg. Strong demand in 20ft containers for coffee export reduces the availability of equipment suitable flexitank.

7 June - Difficult situation ex Australia, as direct services has omitted Adelaide several times due to schedule catch up and missing vessels capacity, while transhipment services are heavily impacted by South East Asia hubs congestion, and full vessels on Asia to Europe. Ex New Zealand, bookings  are complicated by rail restrictions out of Auckland Metroport, and restricted dry space onboard the direct service via Panama.