Transpacific shipping

Transpacific Rates Hit New Heights – Now Three Times Higher Than Asia-Europe

By Gavin van Marle for The Loadstar

Sept. 9, 2020 - Transpacific container shippers are paying more than three times as much as their Asia-North Europe counterparts, as freight rates on the headhaul leg from Asia to the west coast North America hit unprecedented highs.

According to new analysis from Alphaliner, after the Shanghai-Los Angeles SCFI spot rate reached a record $3,758 per feu on Friday, North American shippers and forwarders are now paying carriers $0.64 per nautical mile.

In contrast, North European importers are paying $0.19 per nautical mile for a shipment from Shanghai to Antwerp, the lowest of the nine routes covered by the Shanghai Containerised Freight Index.

“The fact that earnings per nautical mile are more than three times as high on the Asia-USWC trade is remarkable, as carriers need fewer resources (ships and equipment) on a shorter trade,” wrote Alphaliner today.

“A typical Far East-North Europe service requires the deployment of some 12 ships, whereas six are sufficient for a transpacific south-west loop.”

The complete article can be found on The Loadstar's website: theloadstar.com/transpacific-rates-hit-new-heights-now-three-times-higher-than-asia-europe