Keep cool in the peak season, says Setlog
FMCG importers can now remain calm concerning big shopping events such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the pre-Christmas period in November, say the supply chain experts at German software house Setlog.
According to their analysis, sea freight rates for containers from the Far East and transit times will be saved from price jumps and delivery chaos.
The main reason: importers of consumer goods have drawn lessons from the recent past and are now ordering their products on average one week earlier than in 2019 and 2020.
On the other hand, order volumes have declined by up to 25% since summer compared to last year. Currently, the transit times of container ships from Asia are levelling off again at 35 to 38 days, depending on the route and loop.
According to Setlog, freight rates have eased considerably: instead of paying between USD 16,000 and 20,000 for a feu, companies now have to pay less than USD 5,000, depending on the port of departure, route and shipping company.
However, some orders are now being placed in Vietnam or India instead of China. Ocean freight rates for containers have stabilised in India and Vietnam over the past two months and demand for containers has increased significantly in ports there, such as Mundra, Nhava Sheva and Ho Chi Minh City. (sh)