Recently, some liner services are again operating at full capacity, container spot prices have stabilized, the charter market is bullish, and shipping companies are starting to order new tonnage at shipyards.
For shipping lines and shipowners, the week seems to be off to a good start, with recovery "green shoots" starting to appear.
The latest Ningbo Export Container Freight Index (NCFI) rose 5.9 per cent from the previous period, with 15 of the 21 routes rising and 6 routes falling. Among the major ports along the "Maritime Silk Road", the freight index of 11 ports rose and that of 5 ports fell. The market expects freight rates to stabilize.
For example, on key trade routes from Asia to Europe, the report said "some voyages sailed at full capacity" and that shipping companies "pushed up April voyages for market prices".
A pick-up in demand across the transport network has prompted carriers to re-enter the charter market to secure more tonnage, thereby consolidating rates and extending time charter periods. In fact, both Braemar and Maersk Broker are seeing more activity, which has resulted in daily rentals increasing.
Braemar said: "Activity levels are still high, which has led to specific segment charter rates rising, and the 12-month cycle is becoming the new normal."
The Maersk Broker container market analyst also agreed, adding: "All segments of spot tonnage are very scarce and we expect time charter rates to continue their steady trend with average cycles continuing to rise."
These ship brokers noted that modern tonnage "is attracting a significant premium", adding: "Although there are still some clouds over the horizon, the economic outlook is brightening and the market is slowly emerging with general long-term optimism."
Meanwhile, some brokers told The Loadstar that Dafei had overtaken MSC as the "most aggressive shipping company" and would snap up new ships as soon as they opened.
MSC, COSCO, Hapag-Lloyd and ONE also recently signed new leases, but to a lesser extent than the French shipping company.
In addition, Dafei is prepared to offer longer time charter periods to attract shipowners and beat rival offers.
In addition, although these shipping companies have received huge orders for 7 million teu -2.5 million of which will be delivered this year-they are returning to Asian shipyards to try to order more tonnage.
But their efforts to build new vessels are facing stiff competition from other industries, particularly the booming tanker market, where older fleets need to be replaced.
Maersk Broker said that according to its understanding, Dafei and Hapag-Lloyd have recently been in contact with South Korean shipyards to build about 4000 TEUs of methanol dual-fuel small freighters. It believes that Hyundai Mipo shipyard is the "front-runner" for these projects, with delivery dates ranging from 2H25 to 2026.
But the company added: "However, the earliest 2025 second quarter delivery slots are being contested by tanker projects, and interest and inquiries are increasing."
Source: one shipping