China Export Container Shipping Market Report

This week, China's export container shipping market demand has declined. Affected by a variety of negative factors, the volume of goods in several transportation markets declined. The freight rate of most routes dropped to a certain extent, and the composite index fell. On May 17, the Shanghai Export Container Index issued by the Shanghai Shipping Exchange was 726.23 points, down 4.0% from the previous period.

European routes, the European market economy has generally remained stable in recent times, and the volume of goods has been slightly affected by seasonal factors. Some airliners introduced capacity control measures on the route. The average space utilization rate of Shanghai Port ships remained at around 95%, and the supply and demand of the routes remained generally acceptable. In terms of price, as the freight rate of the European route has been continuously raised for nearly one month, the expectations of the airlines for the market have declined, and the spot market booking price has dropped this week. On May 17, the freight rate (marine and shipping surcharge) of Shanghai's export to the European basic port market was US$723/TEU, down 5.9% from the previous period. In the Mediterranean route, the market situation is similar to that of the European route, and the spot market freight rate also falls. On May 17, the freight rate (marine and shipping surcharge) of Shanghai's exports to the basic port of the Mediterranean market was US$696/TEU, down 4.1% from the previous period.

The North American route has been affected by the recent Sino-US trade friction, and some cargo owners have adjusted their shipping channels, and the rate of withdrawal has increased. Affected by this, the market volume has declined slightly, and the capacity of the recent routes has rebounded. The average space utilization rate of ships in Shanghai Port is about 90% in the US West Coast and 95% in the US East Coast. The supply and demand situation is not optimistic. Most airliners are not optimistic about the development of the market outlook, and have actively lowered their booking quotations, and the spot market freight rate has fallen. On May 17, the freight rate (marine and shipping surcharge) of Shanghai's exports to the US-based basic port market was US$1,340/FEU, down 7.1% from the previous period; Shanghai's export to the US East Base market (marine and shipping surcharges) ) was 2,597 US dollars / FEU, down 4.2% from the previous period.

On the Persian Gulf route, the destination market is at Ramadan, and the volume of the route has declined. The overall capacity of the route has not changed much in the near future. Due to the pre-transportation control measures of various airliners, the average utilization rate of Shanghai Port has remained between 90% and 95%. Most airliners only slightly adjusted the freight rate at the previous level, and the spot market freight rate fell slightly. On May 17, the freight rate (marine and shipping surcharge) of Shanghai's exports to the Persian Gulf basic port market was US$611/TEU, down 1.5% from the previous period.

On the Australia-New Zealand route, the market performance has been weak in the near future, and the cargo volume continued to decline. The loading rate of various airliners is sluggish and the difference is large. The utilization rate of ships in Shanghai is ranging from 60% to 90%. In order to maintain market share, most airliners adopted a price reduction strategy, and the market freight rate continued to decline. On May 17, the freight rate (marine and shipping surcharge) of Shanghai's exports to Australia and New Zealand's basic port market was US$275/TEU, down 4.5% from the previous period.

On the South American route, the market volume has declined slightly. Some of the South American East routes have temporarily reduced their carrier capacity. The average loading rate of Shanghai Port ships is around 95%. In terms of price, market competition has intensified. Most airliners still adopt a small price cut strategy, and the current market booking price has fallen. On May 17, the freight rate (marine and shipping surcharge) of Shanghai's exports to the South American base port market was US$887/TEU, down 5.6% from the previous period.

The Japanese route, this week's cargo volume is basically stable. On May 17, the freight index for China's export to Japan route was 719.09 points.