Weekly Ocean Operations Update: Asia to Europe, US and Australia 21/02/25

General overview:

The weekly normal capacity for the FEWB trade lane to North Europe is approximately 350,000 TEUs. Week 9 is expected to see a reduction of 21%, followed by a 22% reduction in week 10. Week 11 will see a reduction of 21% and in week 12 there will be a 6% decline, followed by a 12% reduction in week 13.

The Mediterranean’s weekly normal shipping capacity is about 213,000 TEUs. Week 10 will see a 3% reduction, then a 7% decline in week 11. Week 12 will have a 5% reduction.

February bookings remain weak, with a very slow recovery following the Chinese New Year. Carriers have implemented additional blank sailings in March, mainly on MSC, PA, and OCEAN services. However, the Gemini service continues to operate on a full schedule for now.

As the industry transitions to new services and alliances, a significant amount of cargo is being rolled or re-routed. The impact on actual transit times will become clearer in approximately two months, once the new alliances that began in February have fully settled.

The market anticipates that Gemini will take an aggressive approach in the spot market, with Maersk in particular noting that it is losing some business to Hapag-Lloyd for Gemini services. However, it remains to be seen how this will play out and whether Gemini will successfully improve schedule reliability. Currently, there are still considerable service issues associated with the transition.

March volumes are expected to pick up gradually, but close monitoring will be required to track vessel schedules across the newly formed alliances.

Capacity for the TPEB trade line varies on region, for PSW rollover pool remains strong due to blank sailing. Week 8-9 is the first week that the China Factory resume normal operation and vessel booking remain full. PNW, rollover pool remain strong due to blank sailing and vessel booking remain full. For USEC booking is strong for EC and GULF. 

Overview by trade lane

FEWB summary:

Rate and capacity update as of February 21, 2025:

Oceania summary:

Rate and capacity update as of February 21, 2025:

Transpacific summary:

Rate and capacity update as of February 21, 2025: 

Asia port updates

Market intel: Europe

• ONE - Intra Europe Trade - PLS (Poland Shuttle) Launch
  • PLS (Polish Shuttle) Service Rotation Hamburg ➔ Rotterdam➔ Gdynia ➔ Gdansk ➔ Hamburg  (Source: eeSea)
• Port of Rotterdam braces for more disruption as industrial dispute heats up
• Maersk skips call at Rotterdam as labour issues bring delay （Source:The Loadstar)

Market intel: Oceania

• ANL and Australia’s largest rail freight company Aurizon have partnered on Sea-Rail service from Asia to Adelaide and southern Australian destinations via port of Darwin, this new service will save up to 10 days going into Adelaide from port of Darwin by rail  

(Source: ANL) 

Market intel: Americas

Canada railway tiered operating restrictions

• Canadian West Coast ports - Both CPKC Rail and CN Rail have implemented tiered operating restrictions in response to severe winter weather across Canada. These measures include shorter trains and reduced speeds, which have resulted in minor delays.  These conditions are expected to last another 10-14 days, resulting in increased Import dwell times and paces export connectivity at risk.

Terminal Operations – PNW

• Seattle & Tacoma- 6 days waiting time for time at Husky and no waiting time at Washington United terminal at Tacoma. No waiting time in Seattle. Import rail dwell is 3.7 days at Husky, 1.0 days at Washington United Terminal and 3 days at T18.

Canada – Vancouver/Prince Rupert

• GCT Delta Port  - vessels are experiencing berth delays of 9 days. Import rail dwell times are averaging 4.1 days. Rail car supply has been negatively impacted by winter conditions and has therefore resulted in lower productivity.
• DPW Centerm  - vessels experiencing berth delays of 4-9 days. Import rail dwell average is 5.9 days as the terminal is struggling to maintain first in / first out. Daily rail productivity has greatly improved as plans are executed with both major railways to implement truck off programs to further improve the terminal ground count.
• DPW Prince Rupert  - vessel delays of 6 days for vessels to berth alongside. Import rail dwell average is 8.1 days as the terminal struggles with low railcar supply.

(Source: Hapag-Lloyd)

Equipment update by carrier

Correct at time of publication on February 21, 2025. Please find attached below.