OSLO-BASED Xeneta's weekly market update showed that April has delivered a shock to the system for long-term ocean freight rates from the US to the Far East, with significant falls on both east coast and west coast routes.
The surprise development shows long-term rates abruptly falling into line with spot rates, after months of gaping chasms between the two, reports the American Journal of Transportation.
'This is a very interesting shift,' notes Xeneta CEO Patrik Berglund. 'I think it's fair to say that the comparative weakness of US exports versus US imports from the Far East is taking effect. While imports from the Far East to North America have soared by 31 per cent since the start of the pandemic (Jan/Feb 2019 vs Jan/Feb 2022) exports have fallen by some 19 per cent for the same period.
'In short, there's been a lot of empty boxes being sent back to the Far East, while demand in the opposite direction is fierce. The rates are starting to reflect that reality.'
Putting the falls into context, long-term rates have dropped by US$250 per FEU from the US east coast to the Far East since mid-March, while spot rates have been flat. That has brought a gap of $350 between the two down to just $90 per box at the time of writing. The story is even more pronounced on the opposite coast, where an original divide of $600 between the two is now just $90 after the latest long-term correction.
'However, it's worth noting that the carriers remain in a strong position in negotiations from a historical perspective,' Mr Berglund said. 'Despite the drop, long-term rates are still up year on year, and quite significantly so. Agreements signed in the past three months from the US east cast to the Far East show rates up 20 per cent from a year ago, with rates from the west coast up 10.5 per cent.
'So, there's certainly no crisis for the shipping lines and, unfortunately for shippers, few 'bargain' agreements to be had for those looking to tie in favourable prices either. As ever, all stakeholders need to keep an eye on the very latest data from this dynamic segment to move quickly and get the best value for their businesses.'
In a further sign of weak export fundamentals, US west coast exports to the Far East are down 2.5 per cent year on year for the first two months of 2022, while east coast exports are down by 19.7 per cent.
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The surprise development shows long-term rates abruptly falling into line with spot rates, after months of gaping chasms between the two, reports the American Journal of Transportation.
'This is a very interesting shift,' notes Xeneta CEO Patrik Berglund. 'I think it's fair to say that the comparative weakness of US exports versus US imports from the Far East is taking effect. While imports from the Far East to North America have soared by 31 per cent since the start of the pandemic (Jan/Feb 2019 vs Jan/Feb 2022) exports have fallen by some 19 per cent for the same period.
'In short, there's been a lot of empty boxes being sent back to the Far East, while demand in the opposite direction is fierce. The rates are starting to reflect that reality.'
Putting the falls into context, long-term rates have dropped by US$250 per FEU from the US east coast to the Far East since mid-March, while spot rates have been flat. That has brought a gap of $350 between the two down to just $90 per box at the time of writing. The story is even more pronounced on the opposite coast, where an original divide of $600 between the two is now just $90 after the latest long-term correction.
'However, it's worth noting that the carriers remain in a strong position in negotiations from a historical perspective,' Mr Berglund said. 'Despite the drop, long-term rates are still up year on year, and quite significantly so. Agreements signed in the past three months from the US east cast to the Far East show rates up 20 per cent from a year ago, with rates from the west coast up 10.5 per cent.
'So, there's certainly no crisis for the shipping lines and, unfortunately for shippers, few 'bargain' agreements to be had for those looking to tie in favourable prices either. As ever, all stakeholders need to keep an eye on the very latest data from this dynamic segment to move quickly and get the best value for their businesses.'
In a further sign of weak export fundamentals, US west coast exports to the Far East are down 2.5 per cent year on year for the first two months of 2022, while east coast exports are down by 19.7 per cent.
SeaNews Turkey