FEFC to begin peak season surcharges
The Asia-Europe container trade has had a good start to the year and the Far Eastern Freight Conference is to introduce peak season and other surcharges.
The conference, which covers around 65% of the lines in the market, is reporting growth of 14% from Asia to North Europe and 20% from Asia to the Mediterranean for January, said an industry source.
Lines were reporting full ships until mid-February, and now the trade is waiting so see how quickly the market recovers the traditional lull that follows.
The source said that growth has been particularly strong out of northern China to Europe where volumes are increasing at a rate of 20%-25% annually. In comparison, volume growth out of Southeast Asia is around 8%.
The conference is forecasting a total of 14% growth for the Asia-Europe trade this year.
At a principals meeting of the FEFC in Geneva earlier this week a peak season surcharge of $135 per teu from Asia to the Mediterranean from June 1 and to North Europe from August 1.
The conference, which covers around 65% of the lines in the market, is reporting growth of 14% from Asia to North Europe and 20% from Asia to the Mediterranean for January, said an industry source.
Lines were reporting full ships until mid-February, and now the trade is waiting so see how quickly the market recovers the traditional lull that follows.
The source said that growth has been particularly strong out of northern China to Europe where volumes are increasing at a rate of 20%-25% annually. In comparison, volume growth out of Southeast Asia is around 8%.
The conference is forecasting a total of 14% growth for the Asia-Europe trade this year.
At a principals meeting of the FEFC in Geneva earlier this week a peak season surcharge of $135 per teu from Asia to the Mediterranean from June 1 and to North Europe from August 1.
