AN INCREASING number of blank sailings are creeping into China-Australia schedules – if that’s not a contradiction in terms – as carriers attempt to keep a floor under rates as spots come dangerously close to falling below big account contracts.
According to the Shanghai Containerised Freight Index, average FAK rates for Shanghai-Sydney for 28 April to 4 May (Week 18) stood at USD 1,710/FEU. While only marginally lower than the two previous weeks this nevertheless indicated a resumption in the slide that began in Week 2 2025 and was only briefly interrupted during Weeks 12-15.
Currently, many services are showing one or more blankings, including NEAX, CAT, CA2, Wallaby, Panda and Koala,. Interestingly, of the three A3 strings only A3S is showing an upcoming miss, although the consortium skipped voyages earlier this year.
NB, an earlier version of this story included three Maersk services in the above list but the carrier has advised there are no blankings in Dragon or Northern Star, while J-Star always sails six weeks in seven. DCN apologises for the error.
Meanwhile, South East Asia-Australia rates are also continuing to drift lower, with spots at USD 1,630/FEU for Week 18. But there appear to be few if any blank sailings showing, perhaps because rumours of a new entrant continue to swirl. A reminder that in Week 1 they stood at USD 3,228/FEU.
Across all trades there have been few notifications of rate rises and surcharges.
Hapag-Lloyd is implementing a GRI from Asia and Oceania to Latin America from 8 May, including cargo transported in 20’ and 40’ dry containers, including high cube equipment and 40’ non-operative reefers. Details for this increase are listed below:
For your reference, the geographical scope of this increase is explained below:
Asia and Oceania: Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Micronesia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, French Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna Island
Latin America: Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Chile, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay.
From 1 June CMA CGM will introduce a peak season surcharge on the NEMO service, amounting to USD 300 per container shipped from West Mediterranean (including France Atlantic, Spain Atlantic & Portugal), East Mediterranean, Adriatic & Black Sea to Australia. The PSS applies to all cargo until further notice.
Due to cost increases, COSCO Shipping will adjust the Tasmania Arbitrary Tariff effective 1 June 2025. Details are available here:
Notification of Tasmania Arbitrary tariff effective from 1st June 2025.pdf