Transport by sea is one of the major shipping method for foreign trade business. However, due to the impact of pandemic, Chinese exports of cabinets are increasing, while imports from abroad into China are decreasing.Problems in Marine container transport have been emerging recently.
Rates on American - Western routes have nearly tripled since the beginning of the year. The rise in price stared from July, we have witnessed the high price of 4,000USD in South America, 5,000USD in East America and now 2300USD in Southeast Asia! West Africa heading for 4000USD...
In recent months, containers have been distributed unevenly around the world, with shortages in some regions and serious overstocking in some other regions. The container shortage is particularly acute in the Asian shipping market, especially in China.
A series of factors pushed up the price and seriously affected the balance of supply and demand, which eventually led to high transportation costs, too few voyages, insufficient container equipment and very low liner schedule rate. One key factor is a shortage of containers, which may take some time to regain balance.
Triton, works in the world's top three container equipment leasing companies, says shippers typically ship lighter goods in 40-foot containers and heavier goods in 20-foot ones. The 40-foot container is the most scarce in the market. The company's such containers are being used to nearly 100 per cent. Supply and demand will not regain balance until mid-February next year, and container shortages will continue beyond the Spring Festival in 2021.
Base on this situation, both exporter and importer should arrange the shipping time and purchasing time!