Category: China

With the container shipping lines imposing yet another round of general rate increases (GRI), FAK (freight all kind) rates from China are looking at passing $20,000 per 40’ container, while calls are rising for the industry to be regulated as a utility to prevent it restricting capacity an... Read more

With increased support from key carrier partners, Metro has recommenced routing air freight traffic directly to our Birmingham Airport hub, from key Middle East and Asia origins, as well as trucking consignments directly from southern airports and mainland Europe. Alongside Heathrow, Gatwick a... Read more

Monitored ocean Freight all Kinds (FAK) rates rose yet again this week from their already record-high levels, across all major East-West trades, up 518% on their level a year ago into Northern Europe and expected to remain on the higher side due to port congestion, huge demand and lack of e... Read more

While some container shipping lines will continue calling at Yantian, other carriers have already diverted ships as the port’s operations have deteriorated, with Maersk warning that delays are now expected to last two weeks. The Yantian congestion is yet another disruption to global shipping... Read more

If this was a typical year, we’d be approaching the start of the peak season for sea freight and the shipping lines would be preparing a round of general rate increases (GRI), but this year is anything but typical and even with demand soaring way beyond any typical peak period and freight rates... Read more

As Yantian announces further reductions in container gate-in times, to try and alleviate congestion, shipping lines are skipping calls at Chinese ports, with the mission to improve schedule reliability and equipment availability. The partial shutdown of Yantian International Containe... Read more

Retail sales and consumer demand are still outpacing attempts to build inventory and despite the massive boom in imports, the inability to create inventory is likely to continue all year for many commodities and finished goods. So, if you want stocked shelves this Christmas, it’s time to star... Read more

The global freight market continues to present challenging circumstances wherever you are shipping, by whatever mode you have chosen and on whatever trade lanes that you are operating. It is a global situation which has worsened over the last 12 months from famine to feast from a carrier perspect... Read more

Restrictions have been announced after an ongoing coronavirus outbreak in the port area since last week, with areas suspended from operation for cleaning and disinfection, while high storage density has built up in the terminal. We have been informed by our colleagues in China today, 25th May,... Read more

Shippers from Asia to Europe continue to see increases in container spot rates, as cargo-rolling become ever more commonplace and carriers begin to cancel sailings in an effort to restore schedule reliability. Space on vessels from Asia is effectively ‘sold out’ for May and June, with a su... Read more

Container shipping rates from China to the US and Europe continue to rise, as reduced capacity, high consumer demand and equipment shortages across China and Southeast Asia escalate. While container freight rate increases on the transpacific trade from Asia h... Read more

Spot market shippers have seen continued rate spikes this week and the shipping lines are preparing for further rate elevation, as excess demand leads to cargo-rolling increases at many origin and transhipment ports. Shippers using the spot market for consignments from Asia to Euro... Read more