羞羞视频

Recently, the container shipping market has witnessed a wave of rate increases by liner companies for March. Several major carriers, including Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, and Wan Hai, have announced adjustments to freight rates on various routes, covering Europe, North America, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and intra-Asia routes.

Details of the Rate Hikes
For specific details on the rate hikes announced by these carriers, please refer to the article: Shipping Companies Announce Rate Increases Starting March! Currently, Maersk has announced an increase in Europe-bound rates to 2,600/TEUand2,600/TEUand4,000/FEU for March, with bookings open for Week 10. In contrast, Maersk’s late February sailings were quoted at 2,220–2,220–2,271/FEU, while March 6 sailings are now priced at $4,000/FEU, confirming the rate hike. Hapag-Lloyd has also raised rates on multiple routes, including Far East to Europe and Asia/Oceania to Africa, effective March 1, 2025. These adjustments apply to both 20-foot and 40-foot dry and reefer containers, as well as high-cube units.

Notably, MSC has followed suit, announcing price adjustments from Asia to the Mediterranean and Black Sea on February 17. The new rates, effective March 1, 2025, until further notice, will apply to all Far East ports to the Mediterranean (including West Mediterranean, East Mediterranean, Adriatic, and North Africa) and Black Sea ports, with 20-foot containers rising to a maximum of 4,800 and 40?foot and high?cube containers reaching up to 6,900. On the same day, Wan Hai issued a notice of rate increases for exports from China to intra-Asia routes, with 20'/40'/40'HQ containers rising by 100/200/$200, respectively, effective Week 9. Specific sailings should be confirmed with local offices.

Market Impact and Challenges
The collective rate hikes have driven a strong performance in the Europe Container Index (EC) futures market. On February 17, the EC2504 contract surged over 7% intraday, reaching a high of 2,164 points, marking a new peak and an 86% increase from the January low. Although the index later retreated, it reflects market optimism about the rate increases. However, despite the aggressive pricing strategies, the market anticipates significant resistance to these hikes.

On one hand, freight rates on major routes like Europe and North America have been declining due to reduced cargo volumes. On the other hand, uncertainties such as the Middle East situation could impact rates. For instance, a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict and the cessation of Houthi attacks on shipping might prompt carriers to resume Suez Canal routes, potentially leading to overcapacity and downward pressure on rates. Alan Murphy, CEO of Sea-Intelligence, noted that reopening this route would restore global supply-demand balance to late 2023 levels.

Industry Dynamics and Future Outlook

It is worth noting that the “Gemini” alliance between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd officially launched this month, transforming the shipping landscape from a “three-way split” to a “four-way division,” reducing overall market concentration. This could lead to intensified competition among alliances to boost load rates through lower pricing, while global container shipping supply is projected to grow by 5.4% this year, far exceeding the annualized demand growth of 2%–3%, further pressuring rates.

Overall, while liner companies have collectively raised March rates, the actual implementation and impact remain to be seen. Factors such as supply-demand dynamics, geopolitical risks, and changes in alliance structures will influence rates. Therefore, freight forwarders must closely monitor market trends and industry developments to make informed decisions. Leveraging resources like the WIFFA business card community, WIFFA conference events, and WIFFA joint service centers can enhance industry collaboration and help navigate market challenges.