IMPORT: Asia to North America (TPEB)

Recent Developments:

• West Coast contract negotiations remain active. The existing labor contract between the two parties expired July 1st, 2022.

• Slow steaming, when carriers deliberately lower the sailing speeds of their container ships, continues to rise as another tactic to reign in the supply and demand imbalance.

Rates: Rates remain low. A few carriers have announced plans to implement a June general rate increase (GRI).
Space: Space is open.
Capacity: Open but carriers are using various tactics to help absorb excess capacity.
Equipment: Available at virtually all inland and coastal points, however, remain diligent with planning as shippers are still reporting demurrage blunders mainly on weekends from a lack of equipment access. Many equipment lessors are only open Monday through Friday.
TIPS:
• Keep a pulse on inventory and be sure to have a logistics gameplan in place for your next orders.
• Pay special attention to how carriers are positioning their operations with this lull in the market.
• Hold your logistics partners accountable on frequent updates regarding blank sailings, rate increases, or any other carrier tactics.

IMPORT: Europe to North America (TAWB)

Recent Developments:

• A new agreement in France has been reached spelling an end to labor-related tensions that negatively impacted the country’s logistics.

Rates: Rates are continuing to fall heading into June.
Space: Space is open.
Capacity: Capacity is open.
Equipment: Availability on both origin and destination sides, unless advised otherwise.
TIPS:
• Book at least three weeks prior to ready date.
• Rates, while falling, are still high compared to other trades. Carriers still possess a degree of power in the transatlantic over the shipper (as opposed to the transpacific). Keep these dynamics in mind.
• Premium add-ons (i.e., no-roll options and improved cargo reliability) remain assurances shippers should consider with transatlantic service.

EXPORT: North America to Asia

Rates: Rates are low and level.
Space: Space is open but tighter on the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Capacity: Capacity is widely available for all services, however blank sailings are not out of the question for this trade.
Equipment: Availability at virtually all inland points and seaports. However, chassis access remains posing challenges for intermodal movement.
TIPS:
• Book at least two weeks prior to the time of departure.
• Shippers with high volume projects should take advantage of carrier receptiveness to take on these opportunities. Space is wide open with a high acceptance rate.