TRANS-ATLANTIC container carriers, encouraged by sustained US demand through the second quarter, are warning of hefty peak season surcharges and rate increases from June after spot rates have already soared 80 per cent since the end of March, reports IHS Media.
On top of elevated spot rates, forwarders say that while the baseline rate is lower than on other east-west trades, some carriers on the trans-Atlantic are starting to charge premiums to guarantee space. On the trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe trades, charges of up to US$2,500 are being added to prevailing market rates to guarantee loading.
'Two carriers we use on the North Europe-North America trade lane are adding premiums for guaranteed space, but depending on the volume being shipped, and on the particular ship being used, it is still possible to gain access to capacity on the trade without paying the premiums,' a forwarder said.
Alison Leavitt, managing director of the Boston-based Wine and Spirits Shippers Association, whose members ship 350,000 TEU per year on the Europe-North America trade, said the average June rates offered to the market from Rotterdam to New York ranged from $4,000 to $8,000 per FEU
'The range in rates is incredible depending on carrier, equipment, or service contract situation,' she said. 'While congestion is still very high and we are seeing additional surcharges in June, it is not as significant as the April uptick.'
Carriers have also announced that from June 1, peak season surcharges of between $500 and $2,000 per TEU will be levied on North Europe-North America, and between $500 and $2,100 per TEU on Mediterranean-North American routes. Some carriers are also planning to implement rate increases of $300 per TEU from early June.
SeaNews Turkey
On top of elevated spot rates, forwarders say that while the baseline rate is lower than on other east-west trades, some carriers on the trans-Atlantic are starting to charge premiums to guarantee space. On the trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe trades, charges of up to US$2,500 are being added to prevailing market rates to guarantee loading.
'Two carriers we use on the North Europe-North America trade lane are adding premiums for guaranteed space, but depending on the volume being shipped, and on the particular ship being used, it is still possible to gain access to capacity on the trade without paying the premiums,' a forwarder said.
Alison Leavitt, managing director of the Boston-based Wine and Spirits Shippers Association, whose members ship 350,000 TEU per year on the Europe-North America trade, said the average June rates offered to the market from Rotterdam to New York ranged from $4,000 to $8,000 per FEU
'The range in rates is incredible depending on carrier, equipment, or service contract situation,' she said. 'While congestion is still very high and we are seeing additional surcharges in June, it is not as significant as the April uptick.'
Carriers have also announced that from June 1, peak season surcharges of between $500 and $2,000 per TEU will be levied on North Europe-North America, and between $500 and $2,100 per TEU on Mediterranean-North American routes. Some carriers are also planning to implement rate increases of $300 per TEU from early June.
SeaNews Turkey