It is halfway through year 2020, but COVID-19 crisis still persists. Every industry is affected by the pandemic to varying degrees. International shipping is one of the most affected industries in current situation.In the past few months, we, Hantai, has experienced the situation of soaring air freight cost, difficult to book air shipping space, longer delivery time, etc., when we shipped our fire sleeve, textile sleeve, fiberglass braided sleeve and other thermal insulation products to our customers worldwide. Although we did all our best to arrange the shipment with timely delivery and favorable freight cost, sometimes it was difficult to achieve.
With the declining demand of personal protective equipment worldwide, the air freight cost is going down step by step, but the express rates are still going up recently. Due to the quarantine policy and shortage of air cargo capacity, we forecast the high air freight cost and longer delivery time will not go back to normal in a short time.
Although the sea shipping situation is relatively more stable than air shipping, sea shipping also faces the problems of canceled voyages and increasing freight cost.
According to the news, a total of 167 voyages of Asia-North America/Europe are stopped in May and June.
MAERSK has announced a peak season surcharge (PSS) on all dry container shipments from all ports in southern and eastern India to northern and southern European countries from May 29, 2020.
Hapag Lloyd increase rates for all cargo and all types of containers from East Asia to the East Coast of South America from May 15, 2020, charging $600 per container.
During the pandemic, China Railway Express freight train turns out to be relatively stable and safe. According to XINHUANET News, in April, China Railway Express freight trains just experienced the busiest month in history. Some cargo volumes are switched to this shipping way. It is another option for shipment to Europe.
