Competitive Edge
November 15th, 2023
Stay Current with InterlogUSA
IMPORT: Asia to North America (TPEB)
Recent Developments:
- Severe draft restrictions at the Panama Canal are expected to continue into February 2024. This includes reducing the number of vessels transiting the canal each day to just 18 by then. In normal (non-drought) conditions, around 35 ships a day are permitted through the Panama Canal. We discuss this in today’s webinar, listen here for more details (link:)
Rates: Rates have risen gradually over the past week.
Space: Space is generally open, but certain services have seen tightening.
Capacity: Blank sailings are expected to continue into Chinese New Year as carriers remain managing their overcapacity.
Equipment: A shortage in railcar availability has impacted freight movement at West Coast ports. This issue is largely due to an imbalance in westbound and eastbound traffic.
TIPS:
- Hold your logistics partners accountable for frequent updates regarding blank sailings, rate increases, or any other forms of carrier maintenance.
- Establish a firm timeline for future import activity.
IMPORT: Europe to North America (TAWB)
Recent Developments:
- “Freefalling” spot rates have encouraged shippers to delay signing long-term contracts.
- Carbon-related surcharges have been announced by ocean carriers ahead of the shipping industry’s indoctrination to the EU emissions trading system in January. For more information.
Rates: Rates are falling, but there are signs that they are nearing their floor.
Space: Space is open.
Capacity: Capacity is plentiful with no major adjustments from carriers yet.
Equipment: Availability on both origin and destination sides, unless advised otherwise.
TIPS:
- Book at least three weeks prior to the ready date.
- Carriers have yet to take aggressive action, like they have in the Pacific, regarding capacity management. However, this trade is not profitable for them in its current state, so be on the lookout as they may become more emboldened.
EXPORT: North America to Asia
Recent Developments: The Panama Canal’s deteriorated conditions has led to a routing shift for U.S. farm exports via the Suez Canal.
Rates: After sliding through October, outbound rates have levelled off—remaining relatively low.
Capacity: Schedule reliability can be fickle in pockets.
Equipment: A tricky import market has spurred on rail car availability issues.
TIPS:
- Insufficient communication with sailing schedules can lead to higher detention and demurrage fees as well as higher trucking and storage costs. Ensure your logistics partners are not keeping you and your cargo in the dark.
Watch Today's Webinar!
FEATURING: Special Guest, Andre Winters – Interlog’s Director of Branch Development
TOPICS: Our experts talk extensively about the Panama Canal: latest updates, impact the issues/challenges the canal’s having on shippers/carriers, potential rerouting options, and more.
Sign Up For Our December Webinar!
Our next webinar is Wednesday, December 20th, at 10am CST!
One topic we will be discussing is the upcoming Chinese New Year. Other topics will be announced in the coming weeks.
If you have any topic suggestions or questions for our experts..
please reach out to us at sales@interlogusa.com
What is Coffee & Cargo? Every month, our experts sit down to discuss what’s currently happening in the shipping industry. Every so often we are joined by special guests, who share their specific expertise and experiences.
Freight News
ZIM is Reinstating Their Expedited eCommerce Xpress (ZEX) Service From China to the USWC
After pausing this expedited service back in March – due to the adjusting their capacity as demand and rate levels plunge – ZIM plans to reinstate it.
One of the main reasons for reinstating this service is the growing demand towards ecommerce, and the strong response for more expedited services on the trans-Pacific.
“This service is an excellent and reliable substitute for air freight, with a much more affordable price and the best value for money,” ZIM CEO Eli Glickman said on the service.
This service will depart Yantian in South China on November 22nd, with a rotation of Xiamen, Yantian, Los Angeles and Xiamen, the JOC reports.
Some Cargo Operations Are Resuming at DP World’s Terminals in Australia, Post-Weekend Cyberattack
Last weekend, DP World’s terminals in Australia experienced a “cyberattack incident.” As of early Monday morning, some cargo operations resumed at the terminals.
After DP World Australia discovered the cybersecurity attach, they initiated response protocols that included “actively isolating and containing the incident and notifying the relevant authorities.”
This cyberattack incident comes at a time where DP World Australia and the dockworkers have been in a continuous labor dispute over wage increases and rule changes. On November 10th, it was announced that the dockworkers would be extending their notice of strikes that are set to go till at least November 20th, per Maritime Executive.
Check out our October Insights where we discuss more about the cyberattacks in the industry. You can find those here.
A Podcast by InterlogUSA: NEW FreightFM Episode
Check out episode 13: “Tis the Season: Holiday Trucking and Consumer Spending!”
Interlog’s Emily Smith, Harry Lien and Owen Campbell sit down and discuss consumer spending and trucking conditions ahead of the uncertain holiday season!
FreightFM features short-form video interviews with Interlog’s industry experts offering insights into breaking news, market trends, our company’s history, and more!
Port of the Week Winner: Port of Santos
Every other week we post a poll on our LinkedIn page (give us a follow if you feel inclined), where you can vote on which port you would like to see featured in our deep dive this Friday!
Last Friday, the winner was Brazil’s Port of Santos. Click the link below to read the entire excerpt.
Consider subscribing to our biweekly “Port of the Week!” newsletter to continue getting a closer look at various ports (and inland ports), globally and domestically.
Interlog 
Insights
In last week’s insights, we discussed a sourcing shift to Southeast Asia and India as alternatives to shipping through the Panama Canal.
Plus, when are consumers planning to start and finish shopping for the winter holidays?
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