DESPITE Drewry’s World Container Index showing a more substantial drop of 3% last week, compared to previous recent falls of 1%, carriers are continuing to demonstrate optimism that currently strong volumes from Asia will continue.

Carriers are reporting rates are the highest they’ve been since COVID days with, for example, the SCFI for Shanghai to Melbourne sitting at US$1776/TEU at the end of last week and still rising.

In one we missed earlier, from this Thursday [15 August] Hapag-Lloyd is introducing a Peak Season Surcharge from South East Asia, the Middle East and the Indian Sub-Continent to Australia of US$300/TEU.

The full scope of origins is Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia, Brunei, Myanmar; United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia (Dammam & Riyadh via Dammam); and India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Applicable destination ports are Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Fremantle.

One week later, 22 August, Hapag-Lloyd follows up with a PSS of US$500/TEU on all shipments to Australia from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Macau, while the same PSS will be applied to Taiwan-Australia shipments from 6 September.

On 1 September ANL will be implementing a rate restoration program for all shipment from North East Asia to Australia East Coast, Fremantle, Adelaide and New Zealand. This increase will apply on top of current spot/ FAK rates subject to all applicable surcharges valid on time of shipment.

From North East Asia to Australia East Coast, Fremantle & Adelaide the restoration will be of US$500/TEU dry and reefer, and US$1000/FEU dry and reefer. To NZ the rises will be US$300 and $600 respectively.

Also on 1 September, OOCL is increasing its Tasmanian feeder charges, known as Devonport Transport Additional at Load and at Discharge (TAL / TAD). The new rates are as follows:

Transport Additional at Load (TAL) from Devonport to Melbourne

General Cargo                                    AU$ 1,500 per TEU   AU$2,500 per FEU

Reefer Cargo                                      AU$1,825 per TEU    AU$2,850 per FEU

Hazardous Cargo in dry container     AU$1,650 per TEU    AU$2,650 per FEU

Hazardous Cargo in reefer container AU$1,975 per TEU    AU$3,000 per FEU

Transport Additional at Discharge (TAD) from Melbourne to Devonport

General Cargo                                    AU$1,825 per TEU   AU$2,750 per FEU

Reefer Cargo                                      AU$1,975 per TEU    AU$3,000 per FEU

Hazardous Cargo in dry container     AU$1,975 per TEU    AU$2,900 per FEU

Hazardous Cargo in reefer container AU$2,125 per TEU    AU$3,150 per FEU