Post Chinese New Year is usually a time when container space is readily available on the Asian inbound market, since very little is produced in the preceding fortnight. However, this year has not followed tradition, with the major shipping lines preparing to move from four alliances down to three.

This build up to CNY was the most challenging for many years, as demand outweighed supply by almost twofold. This resulted in short shipments, backlogs and container congestion and now many shipping lines are burdened with empty containers stranded at European ports and a lack of equipment in Asia.

April’s upcoming shipping line reshuffle has also been a convenient reason for some recent sailings to be cancelled, which has further complicated the issue.

Scott Baker, our Asia Inbound General Manager, has just returned from China where he worked with our UniOcean Lines team and met representatives from both the old and new alliances.

Scott commented: “The situation will of course ease week by week, but the lack of equipment may be our next challenge. Currently shipping lines are working hard to try and balance the issue by moving empty containers back to the Far East, but it could be a race against time”.

Scott’s trip incorporated discussions to expand upon our extensive range of service and space agreements ahead of April. Being the largest UK independent logistics and global trade management provider, our ability to deliver supply chain solutions competitively and seamlessly, has always been a major strength.

Therefore a number of our operational board are also heading east over the next 4/5 weeks, with trips planned for Iain Liddell, Steve Ireland, Gary Cobbing, Vijay Madlani, and Steve Davies.

 

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