Weekly Ocean Operations Update: Asia to Europe, US and Australia 28/02/25

General overview:

The weekly normal capacity for the FEWB trade lane to North Europe is approximately 335,000 TEUs. Week 10 is expected to see a reduction of 6%, followed by a 33% reduction in week 11. Week 12 will see a reduction of 6% and in week 13 there will be a 12% decline.

Bookings for February and March remain weak, with recovery progressing very slowly. In response, carriers have implemented additional blank sailings in March, primarily affecting MSC, PA, and OCEAN, while Gemini has scheduled only one blank sailing on their NE3 service during week 11.

A significant amount of cargo is being rolled or rerouted to accommodate the transition to new services and alliances. The actual transit time will become clear approximately two months after the new alliances, which began in February, are fully operational. It remains uncertain how effectively Gemini will improve schedule reliability, as there have been numerous service issues during the transition. 

March volumes are expected to gradually increase, but it will be important to closely monitor vessel schedules across all new alliances.

Capacity for the TPEB trade line varies on region, for PSW (Pacific Southwest) rollover pool remains strong  and carrier reducing the OCF rate to maintain vessel full. PNW (Pacific Northwest), vessel booking remains full. For USEC (US East Coast) booking is strong for EC and GULF and spaces manageable.

Overview by trade lane

FEWB summary:

Rate and capacity update as of February 28, 2025:

Oceania summary:

Rate and capacity update as of February 28, 2025:

Transpacific summary:

Rate and capacity update as of February 28, 2025: 

Asia port updates

Market intel: Europe

• MSC decided to shift essentially all of its 19,200 – 24,300 teu 'megamax' vessels, currently trading between the Far East and North Europe, to the Far East – Med and Asia – West Africa trades. 
• Depending on the rate environment, MSC could be quick to re-assign ‘megamax’ tonnage to other trades if rates and volumes warrant this.  (Source: Alphaliner)
• MSC turns to ZCIS for series of 21,700 teu LNG vessels (Source: Alphaliner)

Market intel: Oceania

Patrick Terminals

• Brisbane: Delays approx. 0.5 days
• Fremantle: Delays approx. 0.5 days
• Sydney: Delays approx. 3-4 days
• Melbourne: Delays approx. 0.5 days

DP World Terminals

• Brisbane: Delays approx. 3 days
• Fremantle: Minimal delays approx. 0.5 days
• Sydney: Delays approx. 0.5 days
• Melbourne: Delays approx. 1 day

VICT

• Melbourne: Delays approx. 1.5 day

Market intel: Americas

US Mexico and Canada tariffs will go into effect March 4.

• Tariff of 25% on Mexican and Canadian goods are set to take effect on March 4, while also threatening to impose an additional 10% on Chinese imports on the same date.
• Mexico, China and Canada are America’s top three trading partners. Simultaneous tariffs on all three nations could lead to soaring prices for American consumers, especially at a time when inflation is already heating up.

(Source: CNN)

Gemini service update- Change of rotation US1 

• US1 service will change from the end of March 2025. Starting with the US1 Maersk Sydney V.513W ETD 24-FEB will be calling Charleston ETA 26-MAR before Savannah ETA 26-MAR.
• New rotation will be the following: 
  • Haiphong -> Ningbo -> Shanghai -> Lazaro Cardenas -> Charleston -> Savannah  -> New York -> Singapore

(Source: hapag-lloyd)

Equipment update by carrier

Correct at time of publication on February 28, 2025. Please find attached below.