Zencargo Market Update: 8th September 2025

Ocean

• September volumes and rates continue to decline, marking the end of the peak season. Demand remains subdued with no major pre-Golden Week surge expected.
• Space is being released earlier, with carriers opening capacity around a week in advance, including on long-term deals.
• Blank sailings and port omissions are causing schedule disruptions, with origin dwell times affected.
• Congestion across major North European ports remains high, while UK ports are mixed — Felixstowe is performing well, Southampton is facing some congestion, and London Gateway continues to be the most problematic.
• Schedule reliability has decreased slightly to 67.4%, with average vessel delays at around 4.5 days. Performance varies by alliance, with Gemini Cooperation remaining the most reliable, while others have seen weaker results.

Air

Central China

• SHA: Market stable, though space fills midweek as FBA demand fluctuates. Availability improves slightly at weekends; early booking advised.
• NGB: Space remains tight, with carriers adjusting allotments around FBA volumes.

North China

• TSN: Market is slightly hot. Some carriers offer lower rates to LHR with longer transit times, but space requires 4–7 days’ advance booking.
• DLC/PEK: Carriers are continuing to lift rates. Spot space is still available for dense cargo, while larger volumes require up to a week’s lead time and possible flight splits.
• TAO: Market remains open to major EU hubs. Airlines continue to release spot options for both dense and volume cargo.

South China

• CAN: Peak season pressure is building, with airlines expected to raise rates, with space confirmed case by case.
• SZX: Market is stable. Carriers are increasing prices slightly; all bookings are handled individually.
• XMN: Conditions remain similar to last week. Final space and schedules are confirmed at booking.

Ocean

• Demand remains subdued with no surge in volumes expected until Golden Week. Market activity is flat despite the recent GRI applications, with shippers continuing to hold back bookings. Furniture tariffs on Chinese exports are still under discussion and could weigh further on demand.
• West Coast congestion remains stable, while the East Coast is beginning to see some increases in waiting times and rail dwell, highlighting a divergence in port performance across regions.
• Rates rose in early September following the latest GRIs, though some carriers, such as MSC, have already indicated small downward adjustments. With overcapacity still in play, there are doubts as to whether these increases will hold through the month.
• Capacity is expected to tighten further through mid-September, dropping sharply in week 40, before increasing significantly in preparation for Golden Week sailings. This aligns with carriers’ strategies to balance utilisation levels with weaker demand.
• Premier Alliance has suspended its PS5 service until further notice, removing six vessels with an average capacity of 4,800 TEU from the trade. 
• Schedule reliability shows strong performance from Gemini at 100%, while Ocean Alliance and MSC are both reporting noticeable improvements. MSC in particular jumped nearly 20% from June to July, though overall reliability across alliances continues to vary widely.

Air

Central China

• SHA:
  • USWC/USEC: Market is slow, with low demand. Space is available, but allotments are unstable and require close monitoring.
• NGB: Market conditions are steady but managed closely by carriers.

North China

• TSN: Market is warm, with freighter services offering earlier ETDs. Bookings typically require 4–5 days’ notice.
• DLC/PEK: Carriers have kept rates stable. Dense shipments can secure spot space, but volume cargo needs 6–7 days’ lead time and may be split. UA flights are operating normally.
• TAO: Market remains stable overall, though space is slightly tighter to the East Coast than the West. Spot bookings continue to be available.

South China

• CAN: Peak season pressures are emerging. Airlines may raise rates; space must be confirmed case by case.
• SZX: Market remains stable with all bookings to be checked with carriers individually.
• XMN: Market is broadly unchanged from last week, though space allotments have been trimmed due to hot weather.

Ocean

• September rates have started to soften after steady increases through the summer, with reductions now visible compared to August. Rates from Bangladesh remain more stable, though congestion continues to weigh on overall market conditions.
• Schedule reliability has improved slightly, with a month-on-month increase of around 3%, but performance varies widely across carriers. Leading lines are maintaining above 95% reliability, while others remain closer to 70%.
• Operations remain disrupted in key hubs: weather issues continue to cause stoppages at Indian ports such as Mundra, Kandla, and Nhava Sheva; Colombo faces delays from high yard density; and Chittagong is still congested, with berthing delays of up to two days.
• Local charges in Bangladesh are rising, with inland container depots introducing higher stuffing costs (up to 20% for high cubes). Forwarders recommend booking at least 2–3 weeks in advance to secure space on target sailings.

Ocean

• Demand has softened as many shippers front-loaded cargo ahead of U.S. tariff uncertainty, leading to falling rates across key lanes.
• Equipment availability at ports is generally stable, though inland capacity for 40HC containers remains tight in Germany, Belgium, and Northern France, often requiring pre-booking of more than 10 days.
• Carriers are beginning to reduce capacity via blank sailings to stabilise rates, with schedule reliability led by Gemini at 96%.
• Severe congestion continues at Antwerp, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Bremerhaven, with yard utilisation above 90% and average dwell times of 7–8 days.

USA

• Los Angeles/Long Beach: No vessels currently waiting to berth, though rail dwell remains elevated at 7 days.
• Oakland: 2 vessels waiting, with a 5-day average rail dwell.
• Seattle/Tacoma: No vessels waiting, but rail dwell sits at 6 days.
• Vancouver (Canada): 2 vessels waiting, with a 4-day rail dwell.
• New York/New Jersey: 5 vessels waiting, with a 3-day dwell on the rail.
• Norfolk: 8 vessels waiting, though rail dwell is relatively low at 2 days.
• Savannah: 6 vessels waiting (steady compared with last week), with a 2-day dwell on the rail.

Benelux

Antwerp

• PSA 913: Yard utilisation remains stable at 70–75%, with reefer utilisation steady at 60–65%.
• PSA 869: Yard utilisation has increased slightly to 70–75%, with reefer utilisation holding at 45–50%.
• AGW: Yard utilisation is stable at 55–60%, while reefer utilisation has reduced slightly to 50–65%. Empty container levels are higher, at 90–95%. Cargo opening times remain at 5 days prior to vessel ETA.

Rotterdam

• ECT: Yard utilisation remains stable at 65–70%.
• RWG: Yard utilisation continues at a critical level of 80–85%.
• DELTA II: Yard utilisation remains low at 25–30%, with reefer utilisation steady at 30–35%.
• APMT MVII: Yard utilisation is stable at a high level of 85–90%.

UK

• The UK Competition and Markets Authority has approved the merger of Evri and DHL eCommerce, creating a combined parcel delivery group capable of handling over a billion parcels annually. The new operation, Evri Premium, will integrate Evri’s courier network with DHL’s international capacity, supported by more than 30,000 couriers, 12,000 staff and a fleet of 8,000 vehicles

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.

• 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