sea freight Archives

April 11, 2022 / By tjchinafreight ivy / Shipping

New tolls for the Panama Canal will affect these ships

The Panama Canal Authority (PCA) is proposing a new containership charging scheme that would, for the first time, charge for empty containers returning to Asia. The plan will also increase tolls for other types of laden and empty container ships. Get a sea freight quote

In addition to the empty vessel charges, the proposal calls for a fixed fee for each passage of the vessel, based on the locks used and the size of the vessel, which would run until 2025.
The proposal also proposes to levy a capacity fee based on the type and size of the vessel. Under the proposal, the loyalty program created in 2016, which originally encouraged ship operators to use the canal's Neo-Panamax locks, will now be reduced from Category 6 to Category 1 eligible vessels. It is reported that the loyalty program will be phased out by 2025. According to data from the Canal Authority, 55% of the tonnage of ships passing through uses the new locks.

Marotta said the current fee scheme was "a very complex system". "The goal is to make it simple and transparent."

Marotta said the toll will help fund a $2 billion project where authorities plan to build additional reservoirs to supply fresh water to the canal, which has been dealing with traffic restrictions due to low water levels. In 2020, authorities imposed a surcharge on ships related to the water level of the canal, which many believe has been affected by climate change.

The current container ship charging system has been in place since 2017 and charges are assessed based on vessel capacity and the actual number of containers loaded.

Changes in toll charges could significantly affect those on long-term charter contracts on the US Gulf-East Asia route, as the canal is the most convenient link between the two markets in the US and East Asia.

In December, the Canal Authority said it wanted the charges to reflect changing market conditions, including increased global demand for LNG. The Canal Authority also said it would communicate more directly with market participants on how to ease congestion. Congestion caused some LNG carriers in line to be diverted to the Cape of Good Hope last fall. The Canal Authority said the maximum wait times for unscheduled LNG carriers to pass through the canal were 5 days (northbound) and 3 days (southbound). In the future, ships that do not meet IMO emission standards may face additional costs during peak winter energy demand periods.

April 11, 2022 / By tjchinafreight ivy / Shipping

Russian ships under sanctions change flags in large numbers

In March, an unusually high number of ships abandoned their Russian flags and re-registered with countries such as the Marshall Islands and St. Kitts, according to data provided by maritime risk consultancy Windward AI.

Russian ships in trouble

A total of 18 ships were re-flagged last month, according to Windward, more than three times the normal rate of 5.8. Five of the ships were linked to Russian ownership. Among them are 11 ships from the same fleet, all of which have been changed to the Marshall Islands flag, and three tankers have been changed to the flag of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Five of the 18 ships that changed flags had direct links to Russian owners. The level of Russian re-flagging in March was more than three times the average, the first time since January 2020 that the monthly number of re-flagging reached double digits.

The U.S., U.K. and other allies have stepped up sanctions on Russia due to the Russian-Ukrainian war that began in late February. U.S. President Joe Biden issued an executive order on March 8 banning imports of Russian oil and gas, and Britain also said it would phase out oil imports by the end of the year. In addition, several countries have banned Russian ships from entering their ports.

From yachts as small as multi-million dollar yachts to oil tankers, Russian ships are already in trouble. The identification and position transmission system AIS, which was supposed to be on all the time at sea, has also been turned off because it avoids detection but poses a risk to maritime safety.

But not all flag changes are necessarily sanctions evasion. The trend could also include "honest businessmen trying to continue business as usual without the potential obstacles that the Russian flag could pose for them," the report said.

Gur Sender, product manager at Windward, said foreign companies have different motivations for changing the flag of Russia, some want their ships to be able to operate around the world without restrictions, and that sea freight is an important method of transporting goods, but others are for ethical reasons.

Changes to flags are not necessarily abnormal, and are sometimes due to changes in ownership or area of operation, Sender said. Singapore will have an average of 17 flag changes per month in 2021, while Japan will have an average of 5 flag changes per month this year. But their levels are all stable without big fluctuations.

A large number of Russian flag switches have appeared in other unusual activities, such as Russian tankers shutting down their tracking systems. Both tactics were included in a May 2020 U.S. Treasury Department bulletin that listed seven categories of fraudulent shipping practices.

"Bad actors may forge the flags of their vessels to conceal illegal trade. They may also repeatedly register ('jump the flag') with a new flag state to avoid detection," the advisory warned.

April 2, 2022 / By tjchinafreight ivy / Shipping

Shipping companies are buying container ships?

According to Alphaliner, some ocean carriers are turning to buying ships to increase capacity, rather than chartering them, reducing capacity in the containership leasing market by 1.6 million TEU.

In addition, there are concerns in shipbroker circles that this reduction in open capacity will weaken the industry's ability to cope with the normal seasonal peak and low seasons of liner trade.

According to shipbrokers, the loss of capacity controlled by NOOs (non-operating shipowners) began in August 2020, when shipping lines, flush with cash due to soaring freight rates, began to add capacity to their own fleets.

In just 18 months, more than 500 container ships have been sold to liner operators through the secondary market, a massive fleet exodus rooted in high demand for freight post-COVID-19, Alphaliner said.

"The huge demand for container ships has caused container ship rents to soar to levels never seen before in the history of container shipping, almost overnight."

"MSC has been the main buyer so far, buying 169 second-hand container ships with a total capacity of 636,900TEU," Alphaliner said.

CMA CGM was the second most active shipping company in the container ship market, purchasing 62 vessels with a total capacity of 207,000TEU; Maersk ranked third with 27 vessels purchased with a total capacity of 141,600TEU; followed by Wanhai with 23 vessels ship with a total capacity of 139,700TEU.

However, some shipping companies have decided to take advantage of the freight rate gained on newbuildings to increase dividends to shareholders, or to seize opportunities in the charter market for longer-term fixed charters.

According to Alphaliner data, in the past 20 months, non-operating shipowners have ordered 175 ships with a total capacity of 710,321TEU, more than half of which have signed long-term charter contracts with shipping companies.

“The low number of newbuildings relative to the loss of capacity suggests that non-operating owners’ fleets need to order more 1,000-9,000 TEU-sized container ships,” the shipbroker said.

But he added that several factors were preventing owners from ordering new ships, including soaring costs, longer lead times, and uncertainty over environmental regulations and fuel options.

Meanwhile, sources at shipbrokers said they were concerned about the current lack of open container ship capacity in the market, as well as the lack of spare container ships in the future.

"At the moment, the outlook is not very good," said one broker. "However, we think that when the situation returns to some form of normalcy, shipping companies may consider moving some of the excess smaller ships they have purchased. Rent out, that will give us something to sell," he said.

April 1, 2022 / By tjchinafreight ivy / Shipping

Ship Delay Warning! Carry out military missions in multiple sea areas and continue to ban navigation

The Maritime Safety Administration of the People's Republic of China recently issued an announcement that from March 30 to April 10, 2022, many sea areas such as the northern Yellow Sea, South China Sea, and Beibu Gulf of the Bohai Strait will be banned for military missions. It may have a certain impact on the shipping schedule of some ports, and the ships will open late and arrive late. Please be prepared for the cargo owner and forwarder.

1. Liaohang Police 34/22, performing military missions in the northern part of the Yellow Sea, Bohai Strait
According to the Dalian Maritime Safety Administration: The northern part of the Yellow Sea in the Bohai Strait will be held at 1600 on March 27 to 1600 on April 10
1) 38-51.7N 121-38.2E;
2) 38-34.2N 121-38.2E;
3) 38-33.9N 121-07.9E;
4) 38-48.2N 121-14.1E
Perform military tasks within the range of the points. No entry.

2. Guangdong Aviation Police 30/22, military exercise in the waters near Shanwei in the South China Sea
According to the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration: In the South China Sea, from 0800 on March 30 to 1800 on March 31, military exercises will be held in the sea area connected by the following four points:
(1) 22-40-00N 115-17-18E,
(2) 22-40-00N 115-23-18E,
(3) 22-34.00N 115-23-18E,
(4) 22-34.00N 115-17-18E.
Vessels are prohibited from entering.

3. Qionghang Police 0038/22, South China Sea Military Exercise
According to Hainan Maritime Safety Administration: South China Sea, from 0700 on March 30, 2022 to 1900 on April 1, at 19-23.10N 110-52.40E, 19-23.10N 110-56.52E, 19-19.67N 110-52.40 Military training is carried out in the water area connecting the points of E and 19-19.67N 110-56.52E, and it is forbidden to enter.

4. Qionghang Police 0036/22, Beibu Gulf live ammunition training
According to Hainan Maritime Safety Administration: Beibu Gulf, from 0700 on March 30th to 1800 on April 1st, will be at 19-48.00N/108-40.00E, 19-48.00N/108-46.00E, 19-42.00N/108 - 46.00E and 19-42.00N/108-40.00E points to connect the water area for live fire training. No entry.

5. Qionghang Police 34/22, Military Training in the South China Sea
According to Hainan Maritime Safety Administration: South China Sea, from 0730 on March 25, 2022 to 1800 on April 7 at 18-15.0N 110-10.0E, 18-15.0N 110-30.0E, 18-05.0N 110-30.0E Military training is carried out within the water area connecting the points of 18-05.0N 110-10.0E, and it is forbidden to enter.

6. Qionghang Police 33/22, Military Training in the South China Sea
According to Hainan Maritime Safety Administration: South China Sea, from 0900 on March 19, 2022 to 1800 on April 9 at 17-32.0N 108-16.0E, 17-32.0N 109-22.0E, 17-02.0N 109-22.0E , 17-02.0N 108-30.0E and 17-22.0N 108-16.0E military training is carried out within the waters connecting the points, and it is forbidden to enter.

I would like to remind that ships have passed through the above sea areas recently, which may cause some port ships to arrive late and sail later, and the sailing schedule may be delayed. To keep abreast of relevant information, please each owner and forwarder understand each other.

March 30, 2022 / By tjchinafreight ivy / Shipping

Lost bill of lading – how to solve and deal with it?

A bill of lading is a document that certifies the contract of carriage of goods by sea and that the carrier has received or loaded the goods and guarantees that the carrier will deliver the goods in accordance with the contract. Since the goods can only be picked up by the bill of lading, in international trade, especially under the conditions of FOB and CFR, the bill of lading is of great significance and is considered to be the representative and sign of the goods.
However, since only one set of bills of lading can be issued for one shipment of goods, and the bill of lading is a negotiable document, once the bill of lading is lost, it will have a great impact on the development of foreign trade, which may cause the seller to fail to settle foreign exchange and the buyer to pick up the goods.

What is a bill of lading?
A bill of lading (BOL or B/L) is a shipping document whereby the carrier is obliged to deliver the goods at a named place.
The bill of lading is also proof that the contract is signed before the bill of lading is handed over to the master.
For more information on bills of lading, see our article - Bills of Lading.

Lost bill of lading
Losing a bill of lading can be a big problem as ocean carriers deliver containers against it. Missing this document may prevent us from picking up your order.
Downtime or demurrage charges may apply if containers remain in port for too long.

What to do if OBL is lost..??

Here are some steps you can take if a negotiable bill of lading is lost, stolen or destroyed

1. Pictures of lost bills Advertise in local media about the "lost" or "obsolete" original bills
2. Security may be obtained by a court order advising the carrier (shipping line) to deliver the goods to the owner of the goods, subject to the security provided by the goods claiming entity, in the amount of the court..
3. The carrier shall also receive an indemnity letter to indemnify the carrier or any person injured by the delivery against liability under the unpaid original bill. The court may also order reasonable costs and attorneys' fees to be paid to the carrier.
4. Certain banks accept a letter of guarantee signed by the bank and the bank will be jointly and severally liable to return the original bill of lading (if found).

However, some precautions need to be taken, such as:

Advertising about damages is by no means a complete defense of liability for wrongful delivery.
This is only evidence that the loss occurred and that the original owner had the intention to cancel the original bill of lading issued.
The carrier should know who owns the goods and only issue copies to that entity, as in some cases an entity that does not own the goods has advertised the loss and persuaded the carrier to issue a second set of originals, while the first still remains. In the hands of its rightful owners, nothing was actually lost.

It should be treated differently according to different situations:

Under a named bill of lading: the carrier may deliver the goods to the consignee of a named bill of lading after receiving the consignee's company guarantee and the consignor's written assurance that the goods are to be handed over to the consignee.
Under the order bill of lading: if the port of discharge agent receives a request from the consignee that the bill of lading is lost and cannot take delivery of the goods against this bill of lading, the consignee shall be required to present the original/copy of the bill of lading issued by the original carrier, commercial invoice, commercial Documents such as contracts and packing lists to check whether the consignee is the consignee. The port of discharge agent should also require the consignee to provide a form of guarantee issued by a first-class bank that meets certain standards. At the same time, the agent of the port of discharge should ask the agent of the port of loading to contact the consignor on the bill of lading to obtain the consignor's consent. In this case A written guarantee that the shipment is released to the consignee.
Under the bearer bill of lading: refer to the instruction bill of lading for specific practices. If the consignee returns the full set of original bills of lading, the letter of guarantee can be returned to the consignee. If the consignee cannot return the full set of original bills of lading, in principle, the letter of guarantee shall be retained indefinitely. If the consignee makes a return request, the port of discharge agent shall retain a minimum period according to the law of the host country. The domestic port proposal needs to be kept for 6 years. After the bill of lading is lost, contact the shipping company immediately to control the cargo, no matter what the circumstances. In this way, losses can be reduced, and at the same time, the rights and interests of the receiver and the consignor will not be damaged.

March 29, 2022 / By tjchinafreight ivy / Shipping

Container Rental Guide

Why rent a container?

Are you looking for a specific period container? Do you have items or items that you want to store in containers to protect them from damage? Do you want the flexibility to rent containers at different points in time? If the answer is yes, then renting a container is ideal for you. Container leasing gives you flexibility in how you use your containers and how you plan your budget. Buying one, on the other hand, increases your liability and costs.

Here are the different types of container rentals that we will be covering in this blog:

1.Master lease
They are also commonly referred to as short to medium term leases. They fall into the full-service rental category with no cap on the minimum or maximum number of containers. The lease term is variable and the lessor is responsible for the maintenance, repair and relocation of the container. The agreement also involves an accounting system that includes debits and credits between the parties based on the condition of the containers at the time of their return. The lessor must undertake the allocation of the containers to meet the needs of the lessee. Therefore, it is important to ensure a stable supply of empty containers at the pick-up point. The master lease agreement sets out the main conditions such as the rental cost per day, the types of containers that can be disposed of, the number of containers to be used in each warehouse, the collection and delivery centers, payment terms, etc. The lessee has no obligation to use the container before picking up the container from the yard, and the contract takes effect when the lessee picks up the container from the yard. A separate individual contract is signed for each container collected under the Master Lease Agreement.

2.Long-term lease
Far less flexible than a master lease, long-term leases are a favorite of many rental companies. The duration of the contract is fixed. As well as a certain number of containers and delivery schedule. This leaves the leasing company with nothing to do once the container is signed for.

The lessee bears the cost of repairs, maintenance and relocation. Although definitions of terms vary, most leasing companies define long-term leases as 5 to 8 years. For long-term leases, the containers are usually brand new. This is why many long-term rental agreements come with negotiable terms. The clause allows rental rates to be negotiated after a few years based on depreciation and market fluctuations.

3.One way rental
They are also known as one-way rental agreements, and containers can be picked up at one location and dropped off at another. Both parties benefit from such one-way leasing arrangements due to operational rationalization and cost reduction. It is suitable for different regional requirements of customers and has the added benefit of saving on relocation costs.

4.Short-term rental
Also known as spot market leases, they are subject to market conditions dictated by supply and demand dynamics. Such leasing arrangements typically occur during temporary demand surges, which may be cyclical or sudden. Because of this market volatility, leasing companies prefer not to keep large inventories of such containers to meet short-term rental demand, to avoid the possibility of them being underutilized for an extended period of time. But careful planning and forecasting can handle unforeseen surges in demand. Maintenance, repair and relocation tasks are undertaken by the lessee. Aside from the higher cost, the one setback here is that you have to adhere to the minimum time to use the container. Usually leasing companies do not want to rent out containers for less than 6 months.

Transaction speed is another important issue for businesses to consider. Rental companies are also on the platform. Given the unbalanced nature of the world economy and trade, the number of containers is unbalanced.

June 9, 2021 / By TJ China Freight / Logistic

How To Choose A Good Freight Forwarder?

When you engage the services of a freight forwarder for your global shipping and business needs, what you expect to enjoy is the relationships they already have with various carriers such as ocean liners, truck companies, airline carriers. You should also benefit from their intricate knowledge of how export and import work in different countries. Moreover, they will be able to smoothly handle customs clearances for your goods, and track the status of the shipment as it makes its way from the supplier/manufacturer to you.

What is a Freight Forwarder?

A freight forwarder is an agent or business within the international trade industry that handles the shipping and transport of goods from one part of the world to another either by land, sea, or air. They are involved in the process of getting goods from suppliers and manufacturers, storing them, and facilitating the transportation logistics to end-users and consumers or some other distribution point. For instance, if you wish to ship freight from China, your best bet will be to hire a China freight forwarder to help you handle the daunting and complicated process of moving your freight either through ocean shipping,air freight, road or rail transport, or some other means.

Tips On How To Choose A Good Freight Forwarder

Nowadays, there are so many agents offering freight forwarding services. So, it may be difficult to find the best freight forwarder for your business. To that end, here are tips on how to choose a good freight forwarder that’s perfect for you.

1. Do Your Homework And Know What You Need

The very first thing that will help you secure the services of the best freight forwarder that will move your goods across international supply chains and trade routes is to do your homework. This means knowing what exactly you need. Ask yourself what kind of freight you want to ship in terms of volume and size. You should not expect exactly the same procedure when shipping goods like automobiles when you’re shipping commodities like foodstuffs.

You would also have a preferred mode of transport you wish to use, so it’s good for you to figure that out before contacting a freight forwarder. Moreover, some goods are fragile and require special handling procedures while others don’t. So, for such special shipments like dangerous or hazardous goods, you would expect the shipping process to be slightly more complicated.

When you clearly identify all your internal requirements, then you will be prepared for the hunt for the right freight forwarder to make the process smooth.

2. Consider The Freight Forwarder’s Experience And Network

This is non-negotiable!

The years of experience that the freight forwarder you’re looking to hire has is very crucial to the success of your business relationship. If they’re experienced, that means that they would have dealt with different situations that come up during the shipping process.

Examples of common situations are cases of port shutdowns, strike action by dockworkers, customs issues, cargo rerouting, warehouse problems, etc. Here is where TJ China Freight comes in with more than a decade of handling and promptly and effectively resolving international shipping and logistics situations for customers all over the world.

With experience also comes an expansive global reach and sustainable business relationships. This manifests through good connections with various suppliers, local handlers and experts, trucking companies, and agents at numerous destinations. That’s how you can be sure your DDP shipments, FBA shipments, or any other freight will be handled well when they arrive at the destination country.

3. Find Out The Services They Offer

By now, you know your shipping needs. However, you don’t want just any freight forwarder with experience. Instead, you need the best freight forwarder that offers the services that will meet handle your shipping requirements. That’s why you have to confirm the services that the freight forwarder offers. These services can range from preparing import and export documents, booking shipping space from air and sea carriers, packing and storing shipments, customs clearance, freight consolidation, tracking shipments, insurance, and many more.

When you know the services that the freight forwarder provides, then you will know if they can make your international shipping process go smoothly.

4. Inquire About Their Permits, Credentials, And Certifications

Before shipments can be transported from one part of the world to another, the freight forwarder in charge of the logistics requires permits and documentation to show that they can handle the cargo. Your company may wish to ship sensitive products such as hazardous materials. To handle these shipments successfully, the freight forwarder will require special licenses. This is why you need to verify if the freight forwarder has these credentials. It will show that they have taken specialized and required training to do the job well.

Another important consideration is whether the freight forwarder is a member of reputable associations such as >WCA. To be a member of such bodies, freight forwarders are required to be financially stable, operationally efficient, have integrity, and pass many other strict vetting requirements. The best freight forwarder will always ensure they are part of such associations to stay in touch with the latest developments in the profession and remain relevant and valuable to customers.

5. What Risk Management Procedures Do They Have In Place?

It is not uncommon for problems to arise during the process of international shipping. There are lots of conditions that can destabilize the transportation of your cargo, whether at the origin, during transit, or at the destination country. So, it’s important for you to verify whether the freight forwarder has procedures in place to manage risks. Freight forwarders that are proactive are the best in handling any issues and proffering solutions to problems as they arise.

A common risk management procedure that you can ask about is cargo insurance. The insurance cover is valuable if anything happens to your shipment, whether it’s a case of loss, damage, or theft. Your mind will be more at ease during the entire shipping process if you know that you’re covered by insurance or any other valid risk management policy. Your freight forwarder should be your partner when there is a crisis.

6. What Is Their Customer Service Like?

Good customer service is the backbone of any business! All the credentials, experience, network and connections in the world amounts to nothing if a freight forwarder does not treat their customers well.

Imagine going through the process of securing your shipments from the supplier or manufacturer only for you to be unable to reach the freight forwarder handling the logistics and transport. If you have inquiries about freight rate or any other issues related to international shipping and the freight forwarder takes forever to respond to your inquiries, would you be willing to do business with them? This is why it’s important to verify what the freight forwarder’s customer service looks like. You can ask about who the contact person is, who to talk to when a problem arises, how you will be contacted, and also check the reviews from previous customers.

Because international shipping can be tricky, these details are important, which is why clear communication between you and your freight forwarder is very crucial to the success of the endeavor. Great customer service even extends beyond when your shipment arrives. TJ China Freight is a tested and trusted China freight forwarder that offers unbeatable service to all its customers.

What About Pricing And Rates?

You may be wondering by now why there was no mention of pricing and rates in the tips on how to choose the best freight forwarder for your international shipping needs. Yes. It was deliberately left out. Why? Because deciding which freight forwarder to hire based on price alone is misleading and often has dire consequences.

For example, going with a freight forwarder because they offer the lowest rates on a shipment may lead to you having to pay more on subsequent shipments. This is because the freight forwarder would want to make up for the low price that they offered initially. Another possibility is that such freight forwarder that’s offering a low rate may have hidden some charges in the terms and conditions. All in all, low prices are often linked to dishonest dealings. You don’t want to fall victim, do you?

What your main focus should be while you are in search of the best freight forwarder for your business is whether your professional shipping needs will be precisely and promptly met. This is not to say that price is not important. Rather, it should not be your deciding factor on who to choose.

How To Ask For Shipping Rates From Your Freight Forwarder

Now that you know what you need to do to hire the best freight forwarder to handle your shipments, you should know the details you require to get the accurate quote and shipping rates for your products. This will help you prepare adequately and also help the freight forwarder serve you well.

To request for a quote from TJ China Freight, the information required include:

1. Product Name.

The name of the product is required. Also, is the product with or without battery? Is it magnetic? Is it liquid? Are they dangerous goods?

2. INCOTERMS Or Terms Of Sale.

Incoterms refer to your International Commercial Terms with the seller, supplier, manufacturer or factory. Are your incoterms EXW (Ex works), Free on Board (FOB), or Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF)?

3. Weight And Volume Information.

If you have the goods packing lists, that’s the most preferred. Alternatively, you can send the gross weight and volume information of the shipment.

4. Address Of The Supplier Or Factory.

If your contract price term is EXW, then we have to arrange the pick up from your supplier or facotry, so the address of the supplier or factory will be needed for us to check the pick fee.

5. The Destination Address Or Port Of Destination.

For Express shipping or any type of door to door delivery, we will need your exact destination address and post code to check the exact cost, and for Air freight or any type of shipping to Port only, then your port information will be required.

6. Your Preferred Shipping Method (Air Freight, Express Freight, Sea Freight, or Train Delivery).

The shipping cost is very different for the air freight, express freight, sea freight or train delivery, so pls let us know which shipping method do you prefer.

7. Your Preferred Time of Delivery – How Quickly Do You Want The Shipment To Be Delivered.

If you don’t know what shipping way is more suitalbe for you, pls let us know your preferred time of delivery, we will try to recommend the best shipping method that can meet your demands.

TJ China Freight, Your Best Freight Forwarder In China

As a leading China freight forwarder that specializes in shipping goods from China to other parts of the world, TJ China Freight offers a broad range of freight services like express shipping, warehousing, drop shipping, FBA shipping, and many more. We partner with many reputable organizations such as DHL, UPS, Emirates, etc. to make sure your shipments arrive on time and in good condition. Contact us today for a quote and open the door to an amazing business relationship.

March 17, 2021 / By TJ China Freight / Shipping

The freight rates dropped by more than 13%!

Although the new round of new crown pneumonia in Europe represented by the British mutant virus has generally eased, and the congestion of British ports is also showing signs of easing, it will take some time for the European transportation system to fully recover.

At the same time, the goods hoarded before the Chinese New Year have basically been shipped out, and the demand for transportation after the holiday is still recovering. The overall market volume is insufficient, and some voyages have surplus space. Liner companies cut prices to buy goods.

Under the combined influence of the above-mentioned market factors, the freight rates of Asia-Europe routes after the Spring Festival have been declining.

The freight rate dropped by more than 13%! Asia-Europe route after the holiday market declines for three consecutive weeks

According to the Shanghai Export Container Freight Index (SCFI) released by the Shanghai Aviation Exchange, on March 12, the freight rate (sea and ocean surcharges) for exports from Shanghai to the European basic port market was 3,712 US dollars/TEU, which was higher than that on March 5. Compared with 3966 USD/TEU, it is down 6.4%. Compared with the USD 4,047/TEU on February 26, it was down by 8.3%. Compared with the 4281 USD/TEU on February 19, the drop reached 13.3%.

This is also the rate of the Asia-Europe route, which has declined for three consecutive weeks.

The situation of the Mediterranean route is slightly better than that of the European route. On March 12, the freight rate (sea freight and ocean freight surcharges) for exports from Shanghai to the Mediterranean basic port market was 4,020 USD/TEU, a decrease of 5.4% compared with 4,252 USD/TEU on February 19.

The Ningbo Export Container Freight Index (NCFI) released by the Ningbo Shipping Exchange also showed a similar trend.

From March 5th to 12th, the NCFI European route freight index was 2871.1 points, a decrease of 6.2% from the previous week. Compared with the 3192.2 points on February 20-26, a drop of 10%; compared with the 3323.4 points on February 13-19, a drop of 13.6%.

In the same period, the freight index of the NCFI East-West route was 2354.2 points, and the freight index of the NCFI West-South route was 3007.1 points, a decrease of 7.4% and 9.2% respectively from February 13-19.

Entering 2021, the freight rate of Asia-Europe route has experienced an astonishing price increase of 25.8% overnight, and then gradually dropped.

Previously, industry consulting agency Sea-Intelligence had predicted that in 2021, the uncertainty caused by the epidemic would still be very large, and the historically high freight rates would fall.

Lin Shulai, an analyst at Yihailan, analyzed that the market freight rate after the Spring Festival depends on two factors, the operating strategy of the shipping company and the development of the epidemic. It is expected that after the first quarter of 2021, the market is expected to return to normal.

February 27, 2021 / By TJ China Freight / Logistic

How to Ship Cargo from China to USA?

How To Ship From China To The US?

1. Sea Shipping Services.

2. Air Shipping Services.

3. Air Express/Courier Services.

4. The Dedicated Shipping Line.

Description As Follow:

1. Sea freight is available for FCL (full container load), LCL (less than container load). The United States is divided into ports for the West Coast, East Coast and Gulf Coast.
East Coast: NEW YORK,SAVANNAH,MIAMI,HOUSTON,etc.
West Coast: OAKLAND, LONG BEACH, SEATTLE, WA, LOS ANGELES, etc.
Gulf Coast: TEXAS, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA, and FLORIDA.

2. Air freight comprises a program of scheduled and deferred services from China with coverage via all major airports. Shipping from airports of Hongkong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Xiamen to all international airports in the USA.

3. Air Express/Couriers services will ship your cargo from China to your US office or home address. And package forwarding service is actually FREE for you. We can get more than 50% discount prices from DHL, UPS, TNT, FedEx, EMS, but better than their services.

4. The Dedicated Shipping Line. Door-to-door services from China to the USA which is DDP shipping. But this shipping channel only receives carton packages. Not accept Anti Dumping products and Sensitive products. Amazon businessmen like this shipping way: Easy-Cost-Effective.

How Long To Ship From China To The USA?

1.Sea Shipping to the West coast is about 13-15 days, to the East coast is generally 23-25 days.
2. Air Shipping to US AirPort is generally 2-5 days, depending on which airline company your choose.
3. Courier services is about 3-5 days.
4. The Dedicated Line is about 8 working days.

How To Get Shipping Freight From China To The US?

Be sure to get the info below from your China supplier, which is very important for our customer services in order to give you the accurate quotation price:
1. Name of commodity and HS CODE
2. Estimated Shipping time
3. Place of delivery
4. Weight, Volume and packages way
5. Trade mode: FOB or EXW
6. Value for the commodity
7. To Door or to Port

What Special Considerations You Need To Know?

1. Full Container Shipping
20GP: Not more than 17 Tons.
40GP/HQ: Not more than 19 Tons.

2. Less than Container Shipping
Chargeable Weight:1CBM=363KG (Special in the United States)
If Weight/Volume > 363kg/m3,use weight number as the chargeable data
If Weight/Volume < 363kg/m3,use volume number as the chargeable data

3. DDP Shipping-How to calculate tariff in America?
HS Code of product.
Government Website: http://hts.usitc.gov/
Other tariff: HMF(0.125%) and MPF(0.3464%) of value

4. Customs Bond
If you don't have Customs Bond in the US you can ask customs brokers to purchase. Two types:
Single Entry Bonds: Only for one shipment
Continuous Entry Bonds: Over a whole year
If you want us to handle that we can use our bond to help do clear in the US.

Choose and believe TJ is your right decision.Hope we can work together for a long time.
We treat you as a valued customer regardless of your size or needs.

We ensure fast transits, export clearance and competitive rates.
We are consistently able to offer individual、professional service and suggestion to all our customers.
We are familiar and have a deep knowledge of China’s export policies and special requirements.
Our experienced brokers can assist and accelerate the most challenging cargoes to ensure successful customs clearance.
Whether you need your goods from Port to warehouse or from warehouse to the far side of China or All over the world. Our transporters are ready to go!

February 19, 2021 / By TJ China Freight / Logistic

Another freight forwarding company was acquired by global logistics giant Rhenus!

German logistics giant Rhenus continues to start crazy "acquisitions"! Following the acquisition of the LOXX Group last month, Rhenus, the harvester in the international freight forwarding market, has taken another move, bringing BLG Logistics Group, a well-known local freight forwarding company in Germany, under its umbrella.

Rhenus Group is a leading logistics service provider in Germany, with operations all over the world, with an annual turnover of 5.5 billion euros. Rhenus has operations in 750 regions around the world and has 33,000 employees. The Rhenus Group provides solutions for different areas in the entire supply chain; including multimodal transportation, warehousing, customs clearance and innovative value-added services.

BLG hopes to focus on its contract, automobile and container businesses, and sell BLG International Forwarding's international freight business to Rhenus. Since 2018, Rhenus has acquired almost all regions of the world; Rhenus will provide its service network for the rest of BLG's business .

Rhenus will take over BLG’s 9 air and sea freight stations in April and integrate these stations with approximately 100 employees into its network of 12 branches in Germany. This new business will enable the company to handle more traffic through its LCL hub in Hilden and the air cargo hub in Frankfurt.

Rhenus said the company also plans to expand its food business, trade fairs and event logistics operations. "In the past few years, we have paved the way for the continuous expansion of air and ocean freight," said Stefan Schwind, general manager of air and ocean freight at Rhenus Germany.

"Due to the addition of business sites, employees and business activities, we are consolidating our network in the German aviation and maritime sectors. We also hope to develop new business areas, such as the use of refrigerated containers to transport food, and in trade fairs and event logistics. Activities."

BLG said it will retain its freight forwarding business in Bremen, focusing on land and sea transportation of heavy and project cargo. Board member Jens Wollesen said: "Even if we no longer have representatives throughout Germany in freight forwarding, we will continue to provide a wide range of international services in our contract, automotive and container sectors."

Last month, Rhenus stated that it would take over the LTL and FTL cross-border specialist LOXX Group and established five business sites in Germany and Poland to strengthen its business in Germany and Europe.

In the past two years, Rhenus has made frantic acquisitions. From Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom to Canada to South Africa and the United States, all freight forwarding companies that Rhenus favors have been acquired.

Recent "acquisition list":

In November 2018, it acquired German freight forwarding SBL;

Acquired the Italian logistics company Cesped in December 2018;

Acquired British freight forwarding Core Management logistics in January 2019;

Acquired Rodair, a Canadian freight forwarder, in early March 2019;

Acquired World Net Logistics, a well-known freight forwarder in South Africa at the end of March 2019;

Acquired LOXX Group in January 2021;

Acquired BLG Logistics Group's freight forwarding in January 2021.

Tag: <span>sea freight</span>