Disruption to container shipping operations out of Asia has unexpectedly worsened over recent weeks but the development is expected to have limited impact on air cargo.
The last few weeks have seen the return of port congestion and container shipping capacity shortages out of Asia push up ocean freight rates.
Figures from analyst Xeneta show that ocean rates from Asia to Europe are currently up 198% year on year and from the Far East to west coast US there is a 214% increase.
DSV said that the “significant development” had “caught most by surprise”. However, while capacity shortages and port congestion in ocean shipping often result in rising airfreight demand, Xeneta chief airfreight officer Niall van de Wouw said there may be limited impact on airfreight this time.
