Weekly Ocean Operations Update: Asia to Europe, US and Australia - 16/08/24

General overview: 

The East Asia ocean freight market is stabilising.  Blank sailings are reducing in China and the deployment of extra loaders is meaning that capacity is stable. Extra loaders have cleared a significant volume of the rollover from the last few months.  BCO / NVO volumes remain strong leading up to the Golden Week holiday in early October.

Meanwhile in the India Subcontinent the market remains challenging and there are significant delays and equipment shortages reported. Bangladesh equipment shortages are the most serious this week. In India, port workers have announced an indefinite strike starting on August 28. You can learn more about our assessment of this industrial action here.

Overview by trade lane

FEWB summary:

Rate and capacity update as of August 16, 2024:

Oceania summary:

Rate and capacity update as of August 16, 2024:

Transpacific summary:

Rate and capacity update as of August 16, 2024:

Equipment update by carrier

Correct at time of publication on August 16, 2024:

Click here to download equipment spreadsheet

 Asia port updates

Market intel: EU

• For detailed information on blank sailings, please reach out to your main Ligentia point of contact.
• North Europe congestion forces 2M to reduce calls of Far East - Europe loops. (Source: Alphaliner)
• MSC and Hapag-Lloyd prepare for new alliance reshuffle. MSC’s non-2M fleet deployed on the major routes between Asia and North America and the Far East and Europe now stands at 733,000 teu, representing one third of the total capacity on the routes. (Source: Shippingwatch)

Market intel: Oceania

• For detailed information on blank sailings, please reach out to your main Ligentia point of contact.
• Pacifica Shipping will close their NZ2 loop service, but to adjust the NZ1 service coverage adding Marsden Point and Tauranga.
• New Routing as follows : Taurange -> Auckland -> Lyttelton -> Marsden Point -> Tauranga. The service will serve by 1 x 1,700 TEU sailing

Market intel: USA

For detailed information on blank sailings, please reach out to your main Ligentia point of contact.

Port congestion in Tacoma

Up to 19 days waiting time at Husky and 10 days at Washington United terminal at Tacoma. 5 days waiting time in Seattle. Extended waiting periods are due to high volumes of Import Rail along with lack of rail cars. Import rail dwell are 5.8 days at Husky, 8.6 days at Washington United Terminal but some locations can see up to 14 days, 1-3 days at T18.

Rail car supply is in severe deficit causing higher import rail dwell times, no major improvement expected during the month of August.

Source: Hapag-lloyd

Labour Strike announced for Canadian National Railway

Possible labour strike could begin as early as Thursday, Aug. 22.  Industry groups warn a shutdown of Canada’s railways will impact large swaths of Canada’s economy, including agriculture, automotive, manufacturing and construction.

Source: CBC / Reuters