Since December 2023, Houthi rebel attacks on commercial vessels in the Bab al-Mandab Strait have led to all major container shipping lines halting their services through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

To ensure safety, ships are now rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, which has significantly increased transit times between Asia and Europe. This rerouting has necessitated an immediate expansion of planned shipping capacity and increased shipping costs.

Global Shipping Impact

In response to the crisis, shippers have been advancing their order volumes, creating an extended peak season. Traditionally, the peak demand period hits US ports in August, but an earlier surge is now evident on the Transpacific route, alongside strong inbound volumes for Europe. Additionally, inbound volumes to the Middle East and Latin America are robust, driving rates higher.

The conflict has absorbed extra market capacity due to the detour around Africa. Delays, congestion, and route adjustments have resulted in a net negative capacity. The extended transit times are also delaying the return of empty equipment, causing persistent challenges across Asia.

Navis Group’s Response

To support our customers during this challenging period, Navis Group has secured additional capacity on extra loaders bound for Europe and the US. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to providing dependable and efficient services.

Port Congestion and Freight Rates

Port congestion has reached an 18-month high, with significant issues at major Asian ports such as Singapore and Port Klang. Strike actions at German ports have led to missed calls and blank sailings. Mediterranean ports, including Barcelona, are struggling with increased transshipment cargo due to the Suez Canal bypass, straining their handling capacity.

Spot rates from Asia, particularly China, continue to climb. The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) has seen its 12th consecutive weekly increase, with rates from Shanghai to California nearly five times higher than a year ago. These increases necessitate weekly adjustments of Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) and General Rate Increase (GRI) on Asia outbound trades, with spillover effects impacting secondary trades like Intra-Asia.

Navis Group’s Recommendation

Considering the current space constraints, we recommend Less than Container Load (LCL) as a viable alternative. Our Ocean LCL services can help keep your critical goods moving. With pre-booking arrangements and allocation agreements with carriers, we can ensure LCL space every week. The maximum shipment size is 15 cubic meters per file, and we generally offer shorter booking deadlines compared to Full Container Load (FCL).