The import of goods from Asia, transported by sea to the commercial ports of Mexico or the West Coast of Latin America, has seen a substantial increase in freight prices in April of this year.
Negotiators of these prices have noted that during the fourth month of this year, the average price of freight per forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU) offered by shipping lines for the FAK market (freight of all kinds) has risen to $3,304, reflecting a monthly increase of 56.89%, according to the EAX Index, by Eternity Group Mexico.
This level in the tariff above three thousand dollars had not been seen since May 2023, according to the analysis of the Chinese-origin freight forwarder company.
In fact, the high demand seen in recent weeks for booking spaces on vessels, “exacerbated by congestion at origin and lack of available empty equipment in China,” has pushed the tariff up to nearly four thousand dollars per FEU, as stated in the monthly report of the indicator.
“Due to the Labor Day holiday in China (May 1), we observe that ports at origin continue to be congested and face serious short-term challenges, generating upward pressure on the tariff that will persist throughout May, even though MSC and CMA CGM will seek to deploy additional capacity in the trade with the launch of services dedicated to connecting Asia > Mexico,” said Eternity Group Mexico.
This company highlighted that during weeks 20 and 21 of this year, blank sailings will be implemented, reducing space capacity by approximately 19,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units), and transit times will also be impacted. Likewise, due to the high volatility in the FAK market, “it will not be absurd to see rates in May quoting in ranges around five thousand five hundred to six thousand five hundred dollars.”
Furthermore, it recommended carrying out advance planning in import operations to reduce the impact on logistics costs and, in the case of critical operations, advised against speculating with them.
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