Weekly Ocean Operations Update: Asia to Europe, US and Australia 14/03/25

General overview:

March bookings have shown a slight increase, but overall demand remains weak, with a very slow recovery. MSC, PA, and OCEAN have confirmed additional blank sailings for March, while Gemini and OCEAN have announced blank sailings in April for the FAL7 and NE2 routes

The weekly normal capacity for the FEWB trade lane to North Europe is approximately 335,000 TEUs. Week 10 saw a reduction of 20%, this followed by a 19% reduction in week 11. For week 12 will see a reduction of 6% and in week 13 there will be a 24% decline.

The Mediterranean’s weekly normal shipping capacity is about 216,000 TEUs. Week 10 had a decline of 1%, followed by a 5% reduction in week 11. Week 12 will see a 4% decline and this will be narrow further in week 13 to 8%. 

A significant number of cargoes are being rolled or rerouted as part of the transition to new services and alliances. The actual transit times will become clearer approximately two months after these new alliances took effect in February. It remains uncertain how much Gemini will improve schedule reliability, but the transition has already caused significant service issues. March volumes are expected to gradually increase, and 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 carriers are reducing the OCF to maintain vessel demand full.  For PNW (Pacific Northwest), vessel bookings remains full due to port congestion in Vancouver, expected vessel delay with longer transit time in coming weeks. Some carriers already announced to swap Tacoma/Prince Rupert call before Vancouver. For USEC (US East Coast) bookings are strong for EC and GULF and space is manageable.

Overview by trade lane

FEWB summary:

Rate and capacity update as of March 14, 2025:

Oceania summary:

Rate and capacity update as of March 14, 2025:

Transpacific summary:

Rate and capacity update as of March 14, 2025: 

Asia port updates

Market intel: Europe

• Demand for containerized cargo remains strong after a year where most container ships were forced to take the long route south of Africa instead of the shortcut via the Suez Canal. Global demand growth (teu-miles) in the one-year period from January 2024 to January 2025 was 8.1%, according to a new report from analyst firm Sea-Intelligence. However, in the opposite direction – from Europe to Asia – there was a 3.3% decrease in demand during the same period. According to Sea-Intelligence, the weak demand for containerized freight from Europe to Asia was also visible in weak vessel capacity utilization on these routes.(Source: Shipping Watch)
• Carriers announced GRI from 01 ,Apr , so far the post GRI level at USD3600~4100 PER HQ :
  • MSC: USD2400/4000 
  • CMA :USD2000/3600
  • HPL: USD2400/4000
  • COSCO: USD2400/4100 

Market intel: Oceania

• CMA CGM adjusts its PAD service for New Zealand kiwi export season, where is serving North Europe – US East Coast – Central America – Oceania 
• During the kiwi fruit export season ex New Zealand, the frequency change to weekly with the service turning in 14 weeks with 14 X 2250 – 2700 teu ship, while season over it resume to fortnight frequency with 8 ships
• The first weekly sailing started from vessel CAPE SKAGEN ex Sydney on 13 March 2025 
• Vessel Deployed : 
  • 14 X 2250 – 2700 teu 
• Port Rotation update :
  • Zeebrugge > Rotterdam > London-Gateway > Dunkirk > Le Havre > New York > Savannah > Kingston > Papeete > Noumea > Brisbane > Sydney > Melbourne > Marsden Point > Tauranga > Cartagena (Col) > Savannah > Philadelphia > Zeebrugge 

Market intel: Americas

Vancouver port congestion.

• Due to Vancouver port congestion, carrier swap the port calling to Tacoma/Prince Rupert first before Vancouver.
• Currently vessel delay around 10-14 days on arrival, calculation based on live shipments recorded in the last 7 days.  

Preimer Alliance Rotation update:

• Due to port congestion, The Preimer Alliance PNW service shifting the 1st call to Tacoma instead Vancouver.
• FP2 svc YM TRANQUILITY 0015E [JTRQ0015E] (FP2) First call Tacoma ETA 8-APR instead Vancouver
• FP2 svc SEASPAN FALCON 0012E [JSFN0012E] (FP2) First call Tacoma ETA 10-APR instead Vancouver
• PN3 svc YM WEALTH 0183E [JYMW0183E] (PN3) First call Tacoma ETA 7-APR instead Vancouver

Equipment update by carrier

Correct at time of publication on March 14, 2025. Please find attached below.