PRESS ROOM

With a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, the U-Freight Group notes that the international media and various consultants are reporting that whilst disruption to container shipping operations out of Asia has unexpectedly worsened over recent weeks, the development is expected to have limited impact on air cargo.

Over the last month or so, ocean freight rates out of Asia have been pushed up by the return of port congestion and container shipping capacity shortages.

The reports mention that figures from analyst Xeneta show that ocean rates from Asia to Europe are currently up 198 per cent year on year and from the Far East to the US West Coast there is a 214 per cent increase.

Xeneta said that while capacity shortages and port congestion in ocean shipping often result in rising airfreight demand, there may be limited impact on airfreight this time, as much of the surge in demand was caused by shippers preparing for possible disruption in the shipping peak season rather than an urgent rush to move cargo.

That would appear to be about supply chain safety rather than urgency, which will likely limit the effect on airfreight demand and rates. It may even result in less supply chain urgency in the final part of the year.

If you are a shipper looking to move peak season cargo now via whatever mode of transport, don't hesitate to contact us by visiting the relevant pages on this website, or speaking to your usual contact in our company.