Tianjin E-Chain Logistics’s Week 33 Route Trends for 2025

Summary and Analysis of Japan and South Korea Routes:

Japan Routes: Freight rates on all Japan routes will increase next week and are expected to continue rising until the end of the month.

Shipowner Recommendations: COSCO/Datong/Antong/COSCO/Sinotrans/Jinjiang

South Korea Routes: Incheon mid-month freight rates are showing a slight downward trend. Busan still offers the lowest prices at New Port. ONE Busan is highly recommended.

Shipowner Recommendations: Shangang/Datong/Douyu/Trans Ocean/MCC

Latin America Routes: Summary and Analysis:

After the early month increase for West Coast South America, mid-month freight rates are largely unchanged! Mansa recommends direct shipping with ESL/KMTC/SLS. For long-term tenders, please confirm prices separately!

Shipowner Recommendations: ESL/KMTC/MSC/WHL/CMA/YML/ZIM

Mid-month freight rates on East Coast South America continue to decline! ONE/YML are still the preferred choice for light cargo, while MSC is the preferred choice for large, heavy cargo!

Carabino mid-month freight rates are currently increasing! For large shipments, focus on MSC. Prices can be applied individually. The PCS surcharge for MSC/ZIM remains normal.

Africa:

Direct East African to Dar es Rum services are on August 11th and 18th. Freight rates have decreased. For East Africa, ASCL is still recommended. Prices are reasonable and settlement is available. Actual orders will be confirmed separately.

Shipowners recommend ASCL, ESL, IAL, KMTC, and MSC.

South African mid-month shipping rates continue to rise. For small heavy containers, consider MSK/MSC. For ultra-light cargo, prioritize EMC.

Shipowners recommend MSC, ZIM, ONE, PIL, and MSK.

West African mid-month shipping rates are generally downward. For large shipments, shipowners prioritize ZIM, MSC, and ONE.

European Market Analysis:

Europe: Overall cargo volumes are low; freight rates have generally decreased. Space is available, starting as early as 33 weeks, and is available for actual orders.

MSK is offline until the 19th, and prices are falling. Offline bookings are still available for those who queue for split-shipping. Large orders are not recommended. For single orders, please contact us in advance for space. For those without containers and requiring a firm order, you can book space online. Space is currently available at key ports, and space is not fully booked.

MSC Europe routes have seen price reductions, with space available as early as August 15th for 18th, valid until the end of the month. ONE currently has space available on both FE3 and FE5 routes for the second half of the month. For light cargo, please contact us frequently if you have cargo available. For this group of vessels, it is still recommended to reserve space two weeks in advance to ensure availability.

EMC prices have been reduced, with an overweight fee of 100/200. Space is available as early as 33 weeks. A CES overtime vessel will sail on August 13th. Inquire for space with firm orders. Special offers are occasionally available for tires and plywood.

Port congestion risks remain in Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and Belfast, so please indicate this before booking.

Overall, demand remains high. Inquiries are open for mid-month OA vessel space, while ONE offers special offers. For those with specific cargo or firm orders, please contact us in advance to secure space and prioritize cargo collection.

Leading European carriers: ONE, MSK, and MSC

For direct, fast services requiring timeliness, COSCO and EMC are preferred (OOCL’s online container storage options can accommodate customers who prefer not to pick up or drop off).

WHL will add Alexandria/Mersin ports in August, offering faster sailings and lower prices. Additional direct services are expected in September, with shorter journeys. Please stay tuned for NTP group route announcements.

Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand Market Analysis

Korea’s Xingya Dexiang direct sailings to Bangkok are scheduled as early as August 22nd and 25th, with freight rates expected to remain unchanged in the first half of the month. Laem Chabang has a more frequent sailing schedule. Except for Haifeng, other carriers currently face significant disruptions.

Direct sailings to Indonesia are experiencing significant disruptions, with COSCO servicing 22nd and 17th as the earliest, and rates have yet to be released. OOCL and CMA are servicing 22nd and 15th as the earliest (for pick up or drop off, OOCL remains very affordable). MTS currently operates weekly direct sailings every Sunday, offering competitive pricing.

On the Singapore-Malaysia route, COSCO’s PA1 direct Singapore-Malaysia service departed on August 17th, OOCL’s CSS2 direct Singapore-Malaysia service departed on August 17th and August 19th, and Koryo’s 8.19 kcm service called Hong Kong, Pasir Gudang, and North Klang.

Freight rates for Vietnam to Ho Chi Minh City have seen a slight decrease, with COSCO and OCL’s mainstream carriers reducing their rates by 575 to 575. Trans Ocean’s Ho Chi Minh service is 550 to 550 on August 25th and August 27th.

Freight rates in Haiphong are currently stable, with only the SITC service departing on August 17th having space available. Bookings for other direct vessels are expected to start around August 20th.

Australian freight rates saw a slight drop in mid-August, but MSK remains the lowest, followed by YML. Hailing (YML) is the second-lowest.

Taiwan bookings are the fastest, with OOCL bookings on August 20th and 8th 25th, and Sinotrans Wanhai bookings on August 16th and 8th 19th.

Indian prices saw a slight increase in late August, remaining relatively stable with minor adjustments until the end of the month.

The Middle East saw an upward trend in mid-month, which is expected to continue until the end of the month.

Red Sea prices saw an upward trend in mid-month, primarily driven by cargo receipts.