From The Loadstar, July 3:
As lockdown measures ease around of the world, trading has picked up,
resulting in more containers being shipped and prompting some carriers
to increase rates and ‘un-blank’ some sailings.
These first steps towards recovery of the market, however, are
tentative, with much uncertainty as to how long shops will remain open
in the event of a second spike in infections and the subsequent
re-imposition of restrictions.
Despite this, supply chains have been reopened and volumes are starting to increase on key head hauls.
One UK-based freight forwarder said: “The picture is slightly better,
and the second half of the year is actually looking rosier for
carriers, Maybe we will see a peak season surcharge after all – just a
few months later than we expected.”
This appears to be the case, with rates rising in line with cargo
enquiries and the number of void sailings booked into July and beyond
falling, compared with the global number in the second quarter.
In June, there were some very strong general rate increases on
transpacific lanes, at the start of the month as well as mid-month, in
response to the sudden jump in demand....
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MUCH MORE
