Trade lane updates

27 August - Summertime have shown strong demand trend, paired with summer capacity reductions and vessel blanking explaining Peak Season Surcharges announcements from carriers. In total, capacity on the trade is now down 12% year-on-year. We now see a scenario of fully utilized vessels on the trade. Risk of strikes in both US East Coast and Canada railways, as much as presidential election, have a continued effect on the demand outlook. Expectations are that October will set sail for further GRIs due high loading factors

27 August - Weather conditions on the Chilean coast have been affected the services calling San Antonio, generating several cut and run. An important backlog remains to be evacuated. Vessels are sailing full, and surcharges on the heavy loads are being implemented. There are tensions with 20'ft suitable flexitank availability.

27 August - While situation in South East Asia hubs and Far East main ports improved, main areas of concern remain Middle East and India. Direct services remain oversubscribed and more GRIs are being pushed on the trade, as alternate relay options are scarce with Red Sea avoidance. Availability of reefers ex US West Coast is getting better. Free times at destination are under pressure so to improve turnaround speed. Pacific North West region remains difficult with cargo backlog in Vancouver / Tacoma, and still a threat on Canadian railways operations, though bigger disruption was avoided to date.

29 August - From Australia schedule reliability remains an issue with vessel bunching around the Australian coast resulting in 3 omissions of Adelaide by the direct service over a 6 week window. From NZ the direct service also continues to suffer from erratic connections at Tauranga from feeder cargo from Nelson and Napier. This also coupled with the late season reefer peak has resulted in continued dry space restrictions and roll pools. MSC have announced a change to their feedering arrangements for Europe, which should improve their reliability.

20 August - Citrus export season is a bit lower than expected. Provides some relief on space available, yet operations remain difficult due several ports omissions (CapeTown & Durban) following storm in the South Africa. Rain and heavy wind (35 knots) caused severe flooding incidents and road closures in Western Cape Area. At sea, several containerships lost boxes, and a smaller general cargo vessel grounded on South African coast, some 200 miles north of Cape Town.