Zencargo Market Update: 14th July 2025

Ocean

• Rates on the Far East–Europe trade  have plateaued in the second half of July, following a period of sharp increases earlier in the month. Some carriers are holding firm, others have begun to apply modest reductions. 
• Short-term space is still being released selectively, though this is generally limited to spot bookings outside long-term contracts.
• Vessels remain close to full through early August, and in some cases into mid-month. Carriers continue to manage space tightly, and cargo rolling has been reported, particularly for bookings made without sufficient lead time. 
• Compared to June, blank sailings have eased slightly, bringing some relief to sailing frequency, though capacity remains under pressure.
• Equipment availability at origin remains broadly stable, with limited reports of issues. However, many carriers are using empty-in return controls to regulate overbooking and maintain service flow.
• Congestion at key Northern European hubs (Rotterdam, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Antwerp and Le Havre) shows little sign of improvement. 
• London Gateway remains the most affected terminal, with significant haulier delays prompting the introduction of additional surcharges. Schedule reliability is continuing to recover gradually across the trade.

Air

Central China

• Shanghai (SHA): Market is steady midweek, with space largely available. Some carrier cancellations have impacted allotments slightly, so early bookings are recommended, particularly for dense cargo.
• Ningbo (NGB): Capacity remains stable. Spot options continue on a case-by-case basis, though demand has softened slightly following service adjustments.

North China

• Tianjin (TSN): Conditions are firm; bookings should be made 4–5 days in advance to secure freighter capacity. Longer transit options offer more flexibility.
• Dalian / Beijing (DLC / PEK): The market has tightened slightly. Spot pricing is available for dense cargo, but volume shipments may require flight splits and extended lead times.
• Qingdao (TAO): Capacity is healthy across EU gateways. Airlines are quoting space based on cargo profile and departure dates.

South China

• Guangzhou (CAN): Uplift performance is stable, though heat may affect certain flights. Confirm bookings early to avoid disruption.
• Shenzhen (SZX): Market remains active. Deferred service space is open, but confirmation is required per shipment.
• Xiamen (XMN): Conditions are stable. Space and service availability should be checked individually with carriers.

Ocean

• Demand remains flat through July, with no surge in volume expected.
• Carriers have implemented rate increases for the second half of July, with further General Rate Increases (GRIs) set by MSC and CMA on East Coast lanes.
• Long-term Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) have been reduced or withdrawn by key carriers.
• Capacity remains stable at 84–91%, with blank sailings no longer following a consistent pattern.
• The extra capacity that was added during the tariff pause has now been fully removed, returning overall supply to average levels.
• Capacity data shows carriers initially added space in response to the tariff pause, followed by a withdrawal post-pause as demand flattened.

Air

Central China

• Shanghai (SHA): Space is generally available, though weekend departures are tighter. Booking 5+ days in advance is advised.

North China

• Tianjin (TSN): Export demand remains strong. Space can be secured with 4–5 days’ notice, especially on freighter services.
• Dalian / Beijing (DLC / PEK): Dense cargo continues to move on spot bookings, but larger volumes require earlier planning and flexibility.
• Qingdao (TAO): Capacity is adequate across both East and West Coast destinations. Bookings are managed per cargo type and routing.

South China

• Guangzhou (CAN): Normal operations. Weather conditions may affect final uplift; early reconfirmation is advisable.
• Shenzhen (SZX): The market is holding steady, with deferred service space reviewed case by case.
• Xiamen (XMN): Uplift capacity is stable. Bookings should be confirmed according to updated carrier schedules.

Ocean

• Rates for 2H July remain firm across India and Bangladesh, though some stabilisation is now evident across major carriers.
• Inland container depots (ICDs) in India are reporting tight equipment availability, particularly for HMM, HPL and ONE.
• North India remains busy, with capacity tight and reports of cargo rolling on certain services.
• Mundra and Kandla are experiencing weather-related stoppages, with vessel delays in the 6–12 hour range.
• Colombo transshipment flows continue to be disrupted due to high yard density and poor weather.
• Chittagong is congested following heavy rainfall and lingering effects from earlier industrial action; yards are full, impacting berthing schedules.
• Shippers are advised to book at least two weeks in advance to secure preferred sailings.

Ocean

• Rates for 2H July remain firm across India and Bangladesh, though some stabilisation is now evident across major carriers.
• Inland container depots (ICDs) in India are reporting tight equipment availability, particularly for HMM, HPL and ONE.
• North India remains busy, with capacity tight and reports of cargo rolling on certain services.
• Mundra and Kandla are experiencing weather-related stoppages, with vessel delays in the 6–12 hour range.
• Colombo transshipment flows continue to be disrupted due to high yard density and poor weather.
• Chittagong is congested following heavy rainfall and lingering effects from earlier industrial action; yards are full, impacting berthing schedules.
• Shippers are advised to book at least two weeks in advance to secure preferred sailings.

USA

• Los Angeles /Long Beach: 1 vessel waiting to berth; rail dwell time at 5 days.
• Oakland: 2 vessels waiting; 4-day rail dwell.
• Seattle/Tacoma: no vessels waiting; 6-day rail dwell.
• NY/NJ: 4 vessels waiting (up by 3); 3-day rail dwell.
• Norfolk: 4 vessels waiting; 3-day rail dwell.
• Savannah: 4 vessels waiting (up by 3); 2-day rail dwell.

Benelux

Antwerp, Belgium

• PSA 913: Yard utilisation remains very high at 90–95%, with reefer utilisation between 70–75%.
• PSA 869: Yard utilisation has increased to critical levels of 90–95%, including reefer containers.
• AGW: Yard utilisation remains stable at 65–70%, with reefer utilisation at 60–65%. Cargo opening times continue at 5 days prior to vessel ETA.

Rotterdam, Netherlands

• ECT: Yard utilisation increased to 80–85% but is expected to ease next week to 70–75%.
• RWG: Yard utilisation remains high at 80–85%.
• DELTA II: Yard operating at normal levels of 65–70%.
• APMT MVII: Yard performing well, with utilisation at 70–75%.

United Kingdom

• London Gateway has faced delays of up to five hours due to recent power outages, crane shortages, and rail infrastructure damage. Hauliers are introducing surcharges and requesting delivery flexibility as operational disruption continues, despite measures now in place to ease congestion.

Europe Public Holidays

We anticipate a shortage of availability and the occurrence of delays around the bank holiday periods. Plan ahead and allow extra time for your products to be delivered.

• 3 Jul (Thu): Belarus
• 4 Jul (Fri): Belarus
• 5 Jul (Sat): Czech Republic, Slovakia
• 6 Jul (Sun): Czech Republic, Lithuania
• 7 Jul (Mon): Isle of Man
• 11 Jul (Fri): Belgium
• 12 Jul (Sat): UK (United Kingdom)
• 13 Jul (Sun): Montenegro
• 14 Jul (Mon): France, Montenegro, UK (United Kingdom)
• 15 Jul (Tue): Montenegro, Türkiye
• 20 Jul (Sun): North Cyprus
• 21 Jul (Mon): Belgium
• 25 Jul (Fri): Spain, Spain
• 28 Jul (Mon): Faroe Islands, San Marino, Spain
• 29 Jul (Tue): Faroe Islands
• 1 Aug (Fri): North Cyprus, Switzerland
• 2 Aug (Sat): Andorra*, Macedonia
• 3 Aug (Sun): Andorra*
• 4 Aug (Mon): Andorra*, Guernsey and Alderney*, Iceland*, Ireland (Eire), UK (United Kingdom)*
• 5 Aug (Tue): Croatia, Spain*
• 14 Aug (Thu): Saint Helena*
• 15 Aug (Fri): Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany*, Greece, Holy See (Vatican City), Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland*
• 16 Aug (Sat): Holy See (Vatican City)
• 20 Aug (Wed): Estonia, Hungary
• 24 Aug (Sun): Ukraine
• 25 Aug (Mon): Gibraltar, Guernsey and Alderney, Isle of Man, Jersey, Saint Helena, UK (United Kingdom)*, Ukraine
• 27 Aug (Wed): Moldova
• 29 Aug (Fri): Slovakia
• 30 Aug (Sat): North Cyprus, Türkiye
• 31 Aug (Sun): Moldova

• 1 Sep (Mon): Luxembourg*
• 2 Sep (Tue): Transnistria (PMR)
• 3 Sep (Wed): San Marino
• 4 Sep (Thu): North Cyprus
• 5 Sep (Fri): Albania
• 6 Sep (Sat): Bulgaria
• 8 Sep (Mon): Andorra, Bulgaria, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Malta, Spain*, Spain*, Spain*
• 10 Sep (Wed): Gibraltar
• 11 Sep (Thu): Spain*, Switzerland*
• 15 Sep (Mon): Slovakia, Spain*
• 17 Sep (Wed): Holy See (Vatican City), Spain*
• 20 Sep (Sat): Germany*
• 21 Sep (Sun): Malta
• 22 Sep (Mon): Bulgaria, Switzerland*
• 24 Sep (Wed): Austria*
• 25 Sep (Thu): Switzerland*
• 27 Sep (Sat): Belgium*
• 28 Sep (Sun): Czech Republic