Weekly Commentary on China Containerized Transportation

Liu+Zijia

In the week ending Jan. 3， China export box market was improved in general. With the coming of shipment rush before China New Year， transport demand in many services started to rebound， which encouraged box carriers in Europe， Mediterranean， Australia services to hike freight rate. On Jan.3， China （Export） Containerized Freight Index （CCFI） issued by Shanghai Shipping Exchange （SSE） quoted 1098.37 points， up by 1.3 percent against last week， while Shanghai （Export） Containerized Freight Index （SCFI） issued by SSE surged by 5.6 percent to 1176.12 points.

In the Europe service， cargo volume rose evidently with the approach of Spring Festival， where the average slot utilization rate climbed to above 95 percent， with some even full loaded. As a result， this round of rate increase plan was carried out successfully， up by USD200-USD300 per TEU. On Jan.3， the freight rate in the Shanghai-Europe service （covering seaborne surcharges） was reported USD1765 per TEU， jumping by 16.8 percent against last week. In the Mediterranean service， cargo volume was sufficient， with the average slot utilization rate in most services around 95 percent. Spot rate rose largely， with that in the West Mediterranean service around USD1700-USD1800 per TEU， and that in the East Mediterranean service near USD1900 per TEU. On Jan.3， the freight rate in the Shanghai-Mediterranean service （covering seaborne surcharges） quoted USD1791 per TEU， increasing by 14.1 percent week on week.

In the North America service， shipment demand improved firmly， with the average slot utilization rate in the USWC service keeping above 90 percent， and that in the USEC service around 95 percent. Rate went toward uneven trends， most carriers sustained the rate level， but part of them reduced the rate to be less USD100 per TEU in order to get more cargo. On Jan.3， the freight indices in the USWC and USEC services quoted 976.03 points and 1181.88 points， both almost unchanged from last week.

In the Australia service， cargo volume increased firmly， and the average slot utilization rate kept at around 90 percent. On Jan.3， the freight rate in the Shanghai-Australia service （covering seaborne surcharges） rose by 24.8 percent week on week to be USD901 per TEU.

In the Persian Gulf service， shipment demand was weak， where the average slot utilization rate kept at around 80 percent. Recently， box carriers announced to hike rate， but failed， for the lack of sufficient cargo volume. On Jan.3， the freight rate in the Shanghai-Persian Gulf service （covering seaborne surcharges） quoted USD609 per TEU， tumbling by 8.1 percent against last week.endprint

In the South America service， the overall transport market was improved. In the West coast of South America service， the shipment rush before the Spring Festival boosted transport demand， so spot rate rebounded to be around USD1799 per TEU. In the East coast of South America service， rate was reluctant to be hiked although box liners announced to lift it. On Jan.3， the freight index in the China-South America service quoted 939.91 points， up by 2.8 percent from last week.

In the Japan service， cargo volume was stable this week， where the average slot utilization rate climbed to be above 80 percent， with spot rate stable. On Jan.3， the freight index in the China-Japan service quoted 794.36 points， almost in line with that of last week.

（Please contact the Information Dept of SSE for more details.）

SHIPPING EXCHANGE

BULLETIN

TOTAL EDITION： 866

14/1/2014

CONTENT FOR THIS WEEK

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?VAT New Policy Is Beneficial for International Forwarders

?Vale Increases Metal Ore Product Capacity

?EBRD “Dodges” Shipping Industry

?Hapag-Lloyd May Cooperate with CSAV

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Port Ulsan

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