Demand/supply condition went better

　　In the week ending Oct.21, China export box transport market got ridden of the slack season after the Chinese Nation Day, where demand increased and the demand/supply condition went better. On Oct.21, Shanghai (Export) Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) issued by Shanghai Shipping Exchange quoted 795.16 points, growing by 2.3% from one week ago.

　　In the Europe route, transport demand rose fast, simultaneously, box liners ceased lines, leading spot rate declined evidently. The average slot utilization rate leaving off Shanghai Port reached 100%, a large increase against one week ago. Spot rate kept stable. On Oct.21, freight rate in the Shanghai-Australia/New Zealand route (covering seaborne surcharges) quoted USD761/TEU, down by 0.8% from one week ago. In the Mediterranean route, transport demand recovered, and the average slot utilization rate amounted to above 85%. Box liners were sufficient on the market, small part of box liners reduce freight rate for the sake of cargo volume, and leading spot rate fell slowly. On Oct.21, freight rate in the Shanghai-Mediterranean route (covering seaborne surcharges) quoted USD558/TEU, having a week-on-week decrease of 1.2%.

　　In the North America route, transport demand improved from the slack season after the Chinese National Day. Both the average slot utilization rates in the USWC and USEC amounted to 95%, with some even full-loaded. Owing to cargo volume kept increasing, some box liners followed to hike freight rate, with spot rate stable almost. On Oct.21, freight rate in the services from Shanghai to USWC and USEC (covering seaborne surcharges) quoted USD1917/FEU and USD2565/FEU, both keeping in line with one week ago.

　　Cargo volume rebounded continuously in the Persian Gulf route, where demand/supply condition improved under the support of capacity limit measures, and the average slot utilization rate recovered to around 90%. Box liners were more confidential towards the post market, and tried to hike freight rate, with spot rate rising continuously. On Oct.21, freight rate in the Shanghai-Persian Gulf route (covering seaborne surcharges) quoted USD595/TEU, surging by 41.7% against one week ago.

　　Transport demand in the Australia/New Zealand route had a remarkable growth, and the average slot utilization rate sustained above 90%. Owing to the demand/supply condition tended to be firm, most box liners locked freight rate on the level after increase, and some box liners followed to rise, with spot rate amounting slightly. On Oct.21, freight rate in the Shanghai-Australia/New Zealand route (covering seaborne surcharges) quoted USD856/TEU, up by 2.8% against one week ago.

　　In the South America route, transport demand started to grow, and the whole capacity stood on the relatively low level, leading demand/supply condition improving. The average slot utilization rate rebounded to about 95%. Spot rate remained at the relatively higher level. On Oct.21, freight rate in the Shanghai-South America route (covering seaborne surcharges) quoted USD2219/TEU, down by 0.9% from one week ago.

　　In the Japan route, cargo volume had a large increase comparing with that one week ago, and recovered to the normal level, with spot rate stopping declining and beginning to increase. On Oct.21, freight index in the China-Japan route quoted 667.46 points, up by 5.1% from one week ago.