Maritime Freight: An Overview of Changes

Freight rates from China have risen 60% since late December, but the Shanghai-Santos route has seen a smaller increase of 16% and is trending downward in recent weeks. The increases are a product of the Red Sea crisis. It is believed that the biggest impact has already passed, although it will take a long time for rates to return to their previous value.

The good news is that the Asia-South America route remains an exception, it is the only one that still does not show signs of over-demand according to the latest report from the logistics company DHL, which could offer opportunities.

The Panama Canal faces a severe drought, leading shipping company Maersk to establish a "land bridge" moving merchandise via rail. The authorities are evaluating building a reservoir on the Indio River to create a new water reservoir. It is not a solution to the current situation, given that the project would take at least four years.

Shipment reliability fell about 5 percentage points in December. We may see a recovery towards February, when new capacity is added to the routes.

Faced with these challenges, it is essential to extend planning to ensure the supply of imports.