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Capesize: The Pacific market started with a positive outlook, maintaining healthy cargo volumes driven by substantial coal shipments from East Coast Australia to the Far East. Rates initially increased, but as the week progressed, a notable shift occurred. Owners began contemplating ballasting towards the Atlantic, creating additional pressure in the Pacific market.
The first five months of 2012 have been developing in the right direction for the container shipping industry. Freight rates on the main routes have been going up markedly and consecutively in March, April, May and June, despite happening at a decreasing amount – the total hikes amount to USD 1,100-1,300 per TEU. This has lifted freight rates on the Far East to Europe trading lane from USD 536 per TEU just before Christmas to the current level of USD 1,634 per TEU, equal to +205%.
Update to the maritime security situation in the waters off East Sabah and Southern Philippines, in particular, the Sibutu Passage.
Towards the end of 2011, we got the first indication that liner companies were winning “the pricing battle” against shippers on the level of freight rates on the main lanes from Far East to Europe and the Mediterranean.
In the past three months, time charter rates have hovered around the same levels, providing owners with a steady market despite the downward shift in spot freight rates. Summer demand should determine the next turning point, with initial indicators suggesting weaker East/West volumes, but stronger North/South trade. Moreover, increased flows on the Middle East and intra-Asia trades should drive rates for small containerships higher, as idle capacity is now removed and orderbook in this segment is low.
