E-Chain

Indian freight rates remained stable at the beginning of the month, with limited space due to vessel reassignment. Middle Eastern freight rates were expected to be full by the end of the month, with the initial downward trend temporarily halted and minor adjustments anticipated. The Red Sea saw a large number of direct vessels at the beginning of the month, with freight rates trending downwards; large shipments could be booked individually. Southeast Asia & Australia/New Zealand overall booking progress after December 1st. Jinjiang’s exclusive new route: December 5th Qingdao-Shanghai-Ho Chi Minh City-Bangkok-Laem Chabang Korea-Bangkok direct vessels: December 7th & 9th; SITC Thailand-Vietnam direct vessels: November 26th + 28th continuing to accept cargo [loss charge $300/600] Indonesia: COSCO 11.30 to December 5th; Hyundai 12.07 to December 7th; overall, Indonesian freight rates have seen a slight increase. Freight rates to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam continue to rise. Major shipping companies like Wan Hai and Yang Ming are forecasting 1350/1450, while COSCO estimates 1300/1300. Haiphong freight rates are expected to rebound to 600/700 in early December. For the Singapore-Malaysia route, COSCO Korea’s rates are 12.06-12.07. For direct vessels to Chittagong, Bangladesh, due to the SITC 11.26 empty schedule, MCC direct vessels will see a significant price increase to 1750/1900 + 30/BL. For small containers (including 22 tons), an overweight fee of $150 will be charged. Australia shipping will accept orders on 11.30 and still have room to ship. The earliest booking from Taiwan is OOCL 12.06, while WH Group and Wan Hai will start booking from 12.02. Regarding European shipping space: Overall freight rates are trending downwards, but space is tight. ONE shipping is unlikely to fill up before the end of the month, and direct shipping via the OA Alliance is also in short supply. Shipping via COSCO transshipment is still relatively available. A slight price increase is expected in early December, but in the long run, a significant price increase is unlikely. Mediterranean freight rates are relatively stable in late December, with most ports fully booked until the end of the month. A price increase is expected in early December. North Africa routes: COSCO’s capacity is expected to be full until the end of the month, with plans for a December price increase. MSC Casablanca fares at the end of the month will be reduced by 100/200 compared to the previous voyage, while other ports will remain unchanged. A price increase is also expected in early December. Japan routes: Freight rates for Japan routes will remain largely unchanged next week. Recommended shipowners: COSCO/Datong/Antong/Haifeng/Sinotrans/Jinjiang Korea routes: Incheon fares will remain largely unchanged at the beginning of next month. Busan fares are currently cheaper at Singang Port. ONE Busan is recommended, with the vessel departing on December 4th. Recommended shipowners: Sankang/Datong/Douyu/ONE/MCC South America West Coast freight rates are trending upwards at the beginning of next month! For current orders, try to ship before the end of the month. CMA carries the risk of dumping cargo. Confirm each order individually. Be cautious with long-term bids. Shipping companies recommend ESL/KMTC/MSC/WHL/CMA/YML/ZIM. South America East Coast shipping rates are expected to increase early next month! For light cargo, ONE/YML is preferred; for large, heavy cargo, MSC is the top choice! Caribbean shipping rates will generally increase in tandem with South America West Coast early next month. For large cargo, pay close attention to MSC rates; you can submit a single order. MSC/ZIM’s PCS surcharge will be collected normally. Direct vessels to Dar es Las Vegas in East Africa are currently empty at the end of the month, with departures around December 6th. East Africa is currently experiencing a backlog of bookings; those with actual orders should secure space in advance. Shipping owners recommend ASCL/ESL/IAL/KMTC/MSC. For South Africa, freight rates are currently trending downwards for shipments at the end of the month. For small heavy containers, MSK/MSC are recommended; for oversized light cargo, EMC/PIL/ONE are preferred. Shipping owners recommend MSC/ZIM/ONE/PIL/MSK. For West Africa, freight rates are trending slightly downwards at the beginning of next month. For large shipments, shipping owners prioritize ZIM/MSC/ONE.

Recently, several shipping companies announced their first wave of price adjustments for December. MSC, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, and other companies continue to adjust freight rates on some routes, including those to Europe, the Mediterranean, and Africa. MSC announced that, effective December 1, 2025, new freight rates from Far East ports (including but not limited to ports in Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia) to Northern Europe and the Mediterranean (including the Western Mediterranean, Eastern Mediterranean, Adriatic Sea, and North Africa) and Black Sea ports will be adjusted as follows: Unless otherwise stated, all prices are in US dollars. The rates above include the base rate (i.e., ocean freight) and the following surcharges (calculated in VATOS): Global Fuel Surcharge (GFS): Effective December 2025, USD 79/TEU; Emission Control Area Surcharge (ECA): Mediterranean and Northern Europe (including Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, UK, Netherlands, France), USD 15/TEU; other Northern European and Baltic countries, USD 52/TEU. Additional charges apply: Carbon Cap Supplement (CLS): USD 20/TEU; Carbon Review Surcharge (CRS): Northern Europe, USD 57/TEU; Mediterranean, USD 85/TEU; Note: The uniform rate (FAK) does not include all International Maritime Organization (IMO) dangerous goods categories and high-value cargoes. On November 19th, CMA CGM issued an announcement stating that from December 1st to December 14th, 2025, it will increase the FAK freight rate from the Far East to the Mediterranean and North Africa, with a maximum increase of US$6,300 per 40-foot container. Details are as follows: Hapag-Lloyd announced an increase in FAK rates between the Far East and Europe, effective December 1, 2025. This adjustment applies to cargo transported in 20-foot and 40-foot dry and refrigerated containers, including high cube containers.   Maersk recently announced that it will impose a congestion charge (CFD) on cargo destined for the port of Beira in Mozambique from ports in the Middle East and Far East, effective December 25. Maersk also announced that it will charge a scanning fee of €25 per container in Romania. This “Import Inspection Fee” applies to all full container load (FCL) imports and transshipments handled at the Constanta South Container Terminal in Romania, where the scanning process is already in place. The price is effective from December 1, 2025, and the price for the FMC range is effective from December 15, 2025. Please note that shipping companies have recently made numerous adjustments to freight rates, resulting in frequent changes. Freight forwarders involved in related shipping routes should stay informed of the latest developments.  

General Cargo Project Route: TIANJIN-DAMMAM Scope of Work: Our company will be responsible for contract signing, ship announcement, delivery to the port, export customs declaration, loading, lashing and securing, payment and document signing, cargo tracking, and ensuring smooth delivery according to plan. Every step reflects E-CHAIN LOGISTICS’s professionalism and responsibility.