FREIGHT forwarders are warning of an air cargo capacity crunch out of key Asian markets during the peak season as new product launches and e-commerce demand put pressure on an already strained market.
In its latest update, Taiwan-headquartered company Dimerco said that the rise in e-commerce demand experienced this year was putting extra pressure on capacity as online marketplaces had signed deals directly with commercial airlines.
'This has further reduced the availability of commercial flight capacity, particularly on routes from China to the US,' the forwarder explained.
'Another product category that will contribute to the capacity demand is the consumer electronics market, which will begin its peak season in September.'
The forwarder pointed out that Apple had shifted iPhone 16 manufacturing back to China and the first wave of this product is expected to hit the market in September, alongside other new launches.
It said spot rates have already surged to US$9??10 per kg, according to London's Air Cargo News.
Air cargo capacity out of Southeast Asia is also expected to come under pressure due to a rise in multi-sourcing.
'As more production of finished goods has relocated from China to Southeast Asia since 2022, additional capacity is required to transport these products to the US and Europe,' Dimerco said.
'This has placed significant pressure on freighter services in key transit hubs like Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong, impacting outbound capacity from these locations as well.'
The company reported cargo backlogs out of Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Singapore and Manila.
UK forwarder Metro said that demand this year had been outstripping capacity additions, which was putting pressure on capacity.
It added that the Red Sea shipping crisis had seen some volumes move from sea to air.
SeaNews Turkey
In its latest update, Taiwan-headquartered company Dimerco said that the rise in e-commerce demand experienced this year was putting extra pressure on capacity as online marketplaces had signed deals directly with commercial airlines.
'This has further reduced the availability of commercial flight capacity, particularly on routes from China to the US,' the forwarder explained.
'Another product category that will contribute to the capacity demand is the consumer electronics market, which will begin its peak season in September.'
The forwarder pointed out that Apple had shifted iPhone 16 manufacturing back to China and the first wave of this product is expected to hit the market in September, alongside other new launches.
It said spot rates have already surged to US$9??10 per kg, according to London's Air Cargo News.
Air cargo capacity out of Southeast Asia is also expected to come under pressure due to a rise in multi-sourcing.
'As more production of finished goods has relocated from China to Southeast Asia since 2022, additional capacity is required to transport these products to the US and Europe,' Dimerco said.
'This has placed significant pressure on freighter services in key transit hubs like Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong, impacting outbound capacity from these locations as well.'
The company reported cargo backlogs out of Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Singapore and Manila.
UK forwarder Metro said that demand this year had been outstripping capacity additions, which was putting pressure on capacity.
It added that the Red Sea shipping crisis had seen some volumes move from sea to air.
SeaNews Turkey
