THERE WAS a slight recovery in spot rates between China and Australia (Shanghai-Melbourne) in the third week of October, after several weeks of (mostly) falls.

The Shanghai Containerised Freight Index in Week Three rose slightly to USD 4052/FEU, up from USD 3932/FEU in the week prior, and a high of USD 4536/FEU in the second week of September.

Meanwhile, Drewry’s composite World Container Index, which is dominated by east-west tradelanes, again fell last week by 4% to USD 3095/FEU – so China-Australia looks like a bright spot for carriers.

Nevertheless the torrent of rate rise notifications has all but dried up, and the last of the extra-loaders from N&E Asia and South East Asia are making their way through Australian ports, leaving only a couple of vessels returning southbound from China drydockings to other services.

ANL will be implementing a General Rate Increase (GRI) from 1 November 2024, at USD 300/TEU dry/reefer & USD 600/FEU dry/reefer for all shipment from North East Asia to Australia East Coast, Fremantle, Adelaide & New Zealand. This increase will apply on top of current Spot/FAK rates subject to all applicable surcharges valid on time of shipment.

Sofrana ANL will implement a Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) for all shipments destined to Papeete, Tahiti on the NZPF service ex Auckland. This will be effective from sailing Southern Pearl v1532 ETD AKL 26 November:

USD 300/TEU Dry/Open Top/Flat Rack container
USD 600/FEU Dry/Open Top/Flat Rack container
USD 500/TEU Refrigerated container
USD 1000/FEU Refrigerated container

Maersk Line is revising its Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) for the scope: China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Timor Leste, to New Zealand, Fiji Islands, French Polynesia with the effective date 9 November.

For the scope: China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Timor Leste & Taiwan China To American Samoa with the effective date 24 November.

For the scope: Taiwan China to New Zealand, Fiji Islands, French Polynesia with the effective date also 24 November.

For all of the above the PSS will become USD 750/TEU dry/reefer and USD 1500/FEU reefer, and USD 1500/FEU dry, hdry and 45’ dry.