西向太平洋航线上,少即是多

In the westbound Pacif ic, less is more

中国的“绿篱”行动严重影响着美国低价值货物出口，但运价为何不降反升呢？

China’s Green Fence program is laying waste to low-value U.S. exports. Shipping lines operating in the westbound trans-Pacific trade are carrying fewer loaded containers to Asia these days, but they’re enjoying it more because average freight rates in the trade are higher.Westbound rates for the lowest-value scrap commodities plunged as low as $175 per 40-foot container early this year. Rates had dropped so low on some commodities that carriers simply walked away from the business.In February, China’s new president, Xi Jinping, made the shipment of low-rated commodities even more difficult with his Green Fence decree, which is intended to keep contaminated plastic, metal and paper scrap out of the country. Although carriers will continue to benefit from the movement of highervalue exports to Asia in the coming months, the increase in capacity that is scheduled to come on line will restrain carrier ability to increase rates on these shipments. Carriers this year will increase capacity in the trans-Pacif ic by 5 to 6 percent as they introduce ever-larger vessels into the trade. Carriers can be expected to seek general rate increases during the late fall to spring peak months in the westbound Pacif ic, but sustained rate hikes aren’t likely.