Security concerns remain across the Middle East, with further reports of attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz this week. However, there has been a positive development for ocean freight, with MSC announcing plans to begin restoring Suez Canal transits on selected services, including its Albatros service to North Europe. MSC continues to monitor the security situation closely, with the safety of its seafarers and customers\u2019 cargo remaining its priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Attention is increasingly focused on China\u2019s Golden Week holiday from 1 to 8 October. With the Mid-Autumn Festival taking place from 25 to 27 September, there will be only three working days between the two holidays, potentially compressing the pre-holiday production and shipping window. Carriers are continuing to manage capacity ahead of the holiday period, with Maersk, the Premier Alliance, MSC and the Ocean Alliance announcing blank sailings across Asia-Europe services. At present, four blank sailings are planned for week 40, six in week 41, two in week 42 and one in week 44.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Further disruption is expected following Typhoon Saudel, which has affected port operations and vessel schedules across Asia. Asia-Europe spot rates have softened slightly in the short term, while rates from the Indian Subcontinent continue to increase, supported by strong demand, equipment shortages and ongoing vessel scheduling issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Air freight rates and capacity from China remain broadly stable, with Golden Week yet to have a significant impact on volumes. However, rates are expected to fluctuate from mid-September as demand builds ahead of the holiday period. Typhoon Saudel is also expected to cause some disruption as airports and airlines manage the operational impact of the storm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Capacity from Vietnam and Cambodia has stabilised, resulting in a slight reduction in rates, while no significant issues are currently reported from India, Bangladesh or Pakistan. Sri Lanka\u2019s peak season has started earlier than usual due to increased demand. Rates remain stable for now, although short rate validities mean adjustments are expected during the month. UK air exports remain challenging, with capacity tight across some sectors, while fluctuating fuel costs continue to influence pricing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Typhoon Saudel has caused closures at Shanghai and Ningbo this week, adding further pressure to vessel schedules and port operations before carriers have fully recovered from the previous typhoon disruption. Waiting times are expected to reach up to six days at Ningbo and more than nine days at Shanghai in some instances. Fuzhou, Yantian, Hong Kong and Qingdao are also experiencing disruption, with carriers continuing to omit ports at short notice in an effort to recover schedules, particularly at Shanghai, Ningbo and Yantian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Japan, Naha and Shibushi are currently closed due to the typhoon, while Yokohama is also experiencing schedule disruption. The combination of successive weather events and existing vessel backlogs is expected to continue affecting schedule reliability across the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Water levels on the Rhine are beginning to rise, but conditions remain below normal and loading restrictions continue in some areas. Barges are still unable to operate at full capacity and Low Water Surcharges remain in place, with further improvement needed before inland waterway operations return to normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For further information regarding specific shipments or trade lanes, please contact your usual company representative.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Security concerns remain across the Middle East, with further reports […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":304565,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[223],"tags":[],"postlocation":[],"posttype":[],"postservice":[],"class_list":["post-339655","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-service-updates"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n