Global Freight Market Insights

Updated on 19 October, 2023
The following information is built on market data from public sources and C.H. Robinson’s information
advantage—based on our experience, data, and scale. Use these insights to stay informed, assist with decision
making to potentially mitigate risk, and hopefully help avoid disruptions to your supply chain.
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Forecast and outlook on freight forwarding and global exports
Changes in global exports comparing pre-pandemic to 2022
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Air Freight Update
Asia
There has been an increase in demand for technology products due to new product launches. This, combined
with the existing high ecommerce demand, has led to tight capacity—and increased rates—on specific trade
lanes. Expect this trend to continue into next month as the year-end holidays and gifting season approach.
Europe
Expect a slight rate increase as carriers implement winter schedules for October. Currently there are no
disruptors expected for fourth quarter—all airports, ports and terminals in the region are operating smoothly.
Capacity is widely available.
Impact of labour strikes

France’s civil aviation authority has told airlines to cancel flights at airports in Paris and Marseille on 13
October, 2023, as part of a broader union push for wage increases. This will mainly affect short haul flights
rather than long haul flights.
Baggage carousel workers at London's Heathrow Airport announced they will strike over 10 separate days in
October. The Heathrow strike dates will be 20-30 October, 2023. While the second round of walkouts will occur
during the busy autumn half-term travel period, the total impact is expected to be limited.
Latin America (LATAM)

US-LATAM
Capacity is stable across the region, showing availability into most markets in South America.
Available capacity via passenger aircraft service from alternate gateways such as New York (JFK), Los
Angeles (LAX) and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) into Brazil.
Mexico inbound
Increased demand into Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) and Mexico City International Airport
(MEX) from both Europe and Mexico.
Rates are picking up for Mexico inbound cargo.
LATAM-U.S.
There is some congestion for export deliveries out of São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
airport. Some delays are anticipated.
North America
United States
The U.S. export market is expected to remain stable in the coming months as demand remains low relative to
capacity in most lanes.
For U.S. imports, there has been increased demand out of Asia that has caused the spot market to increase.
No additional significant capacity increases have led to increased transit times in some lanes. Expect that
trend to continue through November.
Out of Europe, there are no significant changes expected, even with some passenger flight capacity trending
down. A surge in demand could lead to challenges, but that is not anticipated at present.
Oceania
Capacity to Oceania continues to grow, however there are some capacity restraints caused by Northern
summer season travellers and additional fuel loads required—particularly from North America on direct
flights. Softening of these restrictions and further additional capacity is expected throughout fourth quarter.
There are fewer restrictions from both Europe and Asia to and from Oceania and ample support for cargo
demand. The export market is softer overall to most destinations. With capacity exceeding demand, spot rates
are likely to remain lower throughout the month.
Across Australia, there are delays across Qantas Freight terminals following the introduction of a new
operating system. Delays will continue across inbound and outbound cargo throughout the month of October
affecting core carriers throughout Sydney and Melbourne terminals. For the latest information, check for
updated Client Advisories.
South Asia, Middle East and Africa (SAMA)
The air freight market has been showing signs of improved cargo throughput since the beginning of August.
Rates, which were gradually falling for many months, have stabilised. There is increased activity on the air
export side, especially from west and south India, mainly due to the pharma sector.
Due to the increased demand in the passenger sector, there is an increase in lower deck capacity. The volumes
are showing almost equal numbers and growth for both air import and air export. Spot rates are strong and
might soon trend upward.
India continues to be an increasingly important investment destination for a wide range of multinational
companies in many sectors, including manufacturing, infrastructure, garments and textiles, automotive,
healthcare, aerospace and ancillary industries.
Ocean Freight Update

Ocean freight demand on most trade lanes is not meaningfully increasing in October. In parallel, additional
capacity continues to be delivered into the global fleet. Alphaliner reports that January 2023 through July 2023
saw deliveries of new vessels totaling 1.2 million TEUs entering the global fleet, with less than 80,000 TEUs
capacity removed through vessel scrapping. Another 1.2 million TEUs are expected to be added by the end of
the year. To put this into perspective, the previous single-year record for annual growth was about 1.7 million
TEUs in 2015.
Overall vessel capacity continues to trend higher than demand, keeping rates from long-lasting or significant
increases. As such, the steamship lines will continue voiding sailings and slow steaming. This allows them to
allocate more vessel/capacity per service and save on bunker costs. They are also suspending full services
(such as the PS5 and PN3 on the Trans-Pacific) or cutting down service size drastically (such as the TA2 on the
Trans-Atlantic). Consequently, delays and cargo rollover on head haul routes, as well as empty equipment
congestion at the backhaul route origins are becoming more common.
This lack of stability in schedules and transit times is a challenge that will likely continue for months to come.
With a provider like C.H. Robinson, such challenges may turn into an opportunity to improve your supply chain
management strategy.
These graphs from Sea Intelligence show how schedules and average vessel delays worldwide are stalling and
not returning to pre-pandemic levels.
Global schedule reliability
Global average delay for late vessel arrivals
Source: © Sea Intelligence
Asia
Trans-Pacific rates trended down in September. Carriers started to offer rate discounts and removed high
season surcharges before the Golden Week holiday in early October. Spot rates in October are expected to
remain under pressure on most trade lanes.
Carriers have removed over 15% of weekly capacity in the first two weeks of October on multiple trade lanes to
reduce the supply imbalance. New ship deliveries continue in October, adding to surplus capacity.
China export volumes are only expected to start to recover from the second half of October onwards. There is
no indication that demand in the second half of October will exceed September’s.
Europe
The ocean market is fairly stable, with open capacity and low spot market rates. A combination of blank
sailings and low capacity enables the ports to operate as normal.
Latin America
The Panama Canal expects to maintain restrictions. The canal’s water levels have not recovered enough as the
end of the rainy season approaches. Limits on daily transit and vessel draught will remain, at least for the rest
of the year and through 2024, sources say.
The number of daily transits was further reduced from 32 to 31 effective 1 October 2023. This means that just
nine vessels a day will be able to use the Neo-Panamax locks (used for vessels 14,000 TEU or smaller) and 22
ships a day for the Panamax locks.
Asia to Latin America ocean freight capacity is flat month over month. Spot rates are flat as well and demand is
steady, but there is extra capacity to accommodate it.
North America
The wildfires in Canada are still presenting many challenges. C.H. Robinson continues to monitor these
situations and provide updates as they become available. Subscribe to our Client Advisories to stay up to date
on the latest information.
U.S.-Asia
Ocean carriers shifted vessel capacity from U.S. West Coast (USWC) to U.S. East Coast (USEC) ports due to port
congestion earlier in 2022 coupled with concerns over ILWU negotiations at USWC ports. Now that the ILWU
and PMA have reached an agreement, analysts are monitoring the extent with which vessel capacity returns to
USWC ports, as some data suggests only a percentage of the traffic will return to USWC ports.
Carriers will significantly increase their blank sailing programme in October due to the Golden Week holiday. It
is estimated that as much as 20% of the vessel capacity will be removed in October inbound, which will affect
vessel space outbound from the United States in November.
Congestion at transshipment ports in Asia remains an issue. Deliveries can be delayed as much as 10-14 days
at many major transshipment ports, such as Busan and Singapore. All the delays at transshipment ports are
leading carriers to push for business on direct services only. Congestion is expected to ease in the coming
months as volumes on the Asia trade lanes continue to decline.
U.S.-Europe
Demand has dropped off significantly, particularly on the Trans-Atlantic westbound (TAWB) lane, which has
created significant overcapacity on from USEC to Europe.
Space is still tight (ex USWC to Europe) due to lack of sailing options and carriers are substantially booked on
the all-water services (ex Los Angeles and Oakland).
The EU will be implementing a carbon tax system, the Emissions Trading System (ETS), that will apply to the
delivery industry effective in January 2024. Ocean carriers advise that ETS will significantly increase their costs,
which will be passed on to cargo owners.
Analysts indicate that ETS could also cause ocean carriers to adjust their delivery schedules into and out of
Europe, which could significantly disrupt European supply chains. The final numbers to take effect 1 January
2024 are expected to be announced at the end of November/early December 2023.
U.S.-LATAM
Space is improving to East Coast South America (ECSA) ports, especially from USEC and U.S. Gulf Coast (USGC)
ports. Carriers are also significantly improving their vessel space capacity being offered (ex USWC ports to
ECSA and West Coast South America (WCSA) ports).
U.S.-Oceania
Direct carrier service is available both from the USEC and USWC ports, however, high season is approaching so
space will tighten. Booking 3-4 weeks in advance is highly recommended.
Transshipment options to Oceania have improved and there is now more space available.
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug fumigation season is once again in effect for all vessels departing from the
United States effective 1 September 2023, through May 2024.
U.S.-SAMA
Space is improving in this lane, especially with several carriers announcing they are re-opening space and
service into this market. Expect this trend to continue through third quarter of 2023.
Space is most readily available (ex USEC ports) where there are more direct services. Among USEC ports, space
is more available (ex New York and Norfolk ports).
Space (ex USGC ports) continues to be very tight, but it has improved slightly.
Oceania
The Trans-Tasman market has softened. Space and equipment availability is open. Rates are dropping with the
introduction of new options on this trade lane.
Direct carrier space is improving (ex USEC and USWC) while trans-delivery service options are widely available.
Rates are softening due to improving space availability. High season on this trade lane begins in late
August/early September so space may tighten soon.
The Europe to Oceania market continues to see direct carriers trying to hold market share as rates are revised
in small increments because supply continues to outweigh demand, with space and equipment readily
available for dry cargo.
Northeast Asia supply continues to tighten as carriers increase blank sailing/port omissions, while demand
remains steady from Southeast Asia to Oceania. General Rate Increases (GRIs) continue to be implemented
from Northeast Asia to Australia, Australian East Coast ports and New Zealand.
Exports
Export rates are under pressure. Wastepaper, grain, wool, cotton/cotton seed are still moving in large numbers
with load factors strong for the next six weeks but coming up against constant competition and rate pressure.
Currently, 20'GP/food quality is hard to forecast for Melbourne and Adelaide with solid grain season. Feeder
space to ISC is tight across most carriers with small allocations against demand from Singapore.

SAMA-North America
Market is expected to be stable, though could have a few fluctuations based on void sailings and capacity
constraints. Market intelligence indicates there are a number of blank sailings being scheduled, which could
be an indication that carriers could be trying to use a demand supply gap to stabilise their rate level for North
America. A number of RRI/GRI/PSS have been declared by carriers.
SAMA-Europe
Average short-term contract rates from Asia-Europe/Mediterranean are showing a bit of a rate hike. Space is
open for all lanes to Med and Europe. Demand continues to be weak.
SAMA-Asia
The market is volatile as carriers are trying to reduce capacity by inducing blank sailings, forecasting the
readiness of standard cargo is the preferred approach.
SAMA-Latin America
Market continues to be volatile with a slight increase. Several carriers are offering alternative services from
Asia to ECSA to maximise on their mother vessel utilisations.
Inland Drayage Update

Asia
The domestic transportation market continues to have a slight increase while domestic demand has also been
negatively affected to some extent by a decrease in international orders. Due to the decline in overall demand,
trucking capacity is still in a surplus state and asset-heavy transport fleets are under pressure to feed drivers
and vehicles.
Freight rates are still at a relatively low level and with the arrival of the traditional high season in the third
quarter, expect there will be a brief rebound in the transportation market. Transit time in the Pingxiang port
from China to Southeast Asia now is shortened to 1 day after the National Holiday as the cross-border trucking
demand return to normal lower levels. Meanwhile, there is a congestion situation of 1-2 days for import
trucking from Southeast Asia to China with the increase of imported fruits, which is expected to last until mid-
October.
North America
Cargo theft
Truckload thefts are increasing in the United States, with the value of stolen goods jumping more than 128%
year over year in the second quarter as thieves sharpen their skill at identity theft to facilitate fictitious pickups,
attendees at the Journal of Commerce’s Inland Distribution Conference (Inland23) were told.
According to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE), it is estimated that cargo theft accounts
for $15-35 billion in loss annually. Organised theft groups target cargo at the ports of entry, truck stops, freight
trains and along the supply chain as the goods are in transit, using a variety of means to steal cargo, including
fraudulent pickups, phoney documentation etc.
Commonly stolen items include, but are not limited to, pharmaceuticals, electronics, personal care, clothing,
food and beverage, building supplies and alcohol/ tobacco. Much of the activity is around major hubs within
the supply chain (Los Angeles, Dallas, Memphis, Chicago, Atlanta etc.).
If you don’t have a policy in place to protect your cargo or have questions about the scope of your coverage,
keep in touch to your contact at C.H. Robinson to discuss prospective insurance solutions that fit your needs.
U.S. Southeast
The Savannah ports have been dealing with a vessel backlogue since Hurricane Idalia and the Labour Day no-
work Union Holiday. Additionally, they received four more new deliver-to-shore cranes in late August (the other
four were delivered last March and all came online by July), which cost another almost full vessel workday.
The tearing down and removing of their four oldest deliver-to-shore cranes has Ship Berth 2 temporarily
closed. The construction should be wrapped up by mid-November and there are no current plans for
additional ship berth construction on the horizon. In addition, vessel arrivals will start dwindling as the end of
October approaches due to blank sailings for the Chinese Golden Week holiday.
NS Austell in the Atlanta market is finally beginning their new procedures, requiring drivers to make an
appointment in a new system. There will be a finite number of appointments each day for ingates and
outgates. This new system will support the optimised stacking operation. This may result in more accessorials
and less same-day flexibility.
The SACP 3.0 chassis pool began 1 October 2023. The administrator of a new chassis pool covering the ports
of Jacksonville, Savannah and Wilmington, NC, plans to charge a hefty penalty to trucking companies that use
equipment without registering for the pool. Unregistered carriers that pull chassis from the SACP will be
charged $100/day for usage. In addition to the ports of Jacksonville, Savannah and Wilmington, SACP 3.0 will
cover inland locations in Atlanta, GA; Birmingham, AL.; Charlotte, NC; and Tampa, FL.
10 September 2023 marked the statistical peak of the Atlantic hurricane season as severe weather continues to
threaten potential disruptions to supply chains. Stay up to date by subscribing to our Client Advisories for the
latest updates.
U.S. Northeast
Baltimore
Motor carrier capacity is high. The market itself has been flat with small bursts of activity increases.
NY/NJ
Carriers have lately been experiencing a lack of appointments available at APM Terminal. It has a been a fairly
large problem, so the terminal has been extending free time and waiving demurrage since carriers can't get
appointments within the free time.
Central/Ohio Valley
Cleveland
Chassis availability is critically low for exports in the Cleveland market. The wait time overall is better, but still
seems to be worse at NS than CSX.
Columbus
Carriers are still advising frequent chassis deficits. These issues are more severe for export freight. Despite
these issues they advise that wait times are lessening and carriers are reporting open capacity.
Minneapolis
Capacity is open, chassis are becoming more available, but carriers are simply at the mercy of the efficiency of
the ramps. Influx of volumes in this market is causing BN to ground containers again (not enough chassis for
the number of boxes at this wheeled facility).
Kansas City
Carriers are reporting the market is running smoothly—no issues or congestion, but they have open capacity
and are looking for more work. Pool chassis supplies are over 30% and dwelling under 13 days, but carriers
still report many out of service chassis piles.
St. Louis
Capacity is open and rail operations are good, also chassis dwell and availability is much better (40’ dwell
under 14 days with 17%+ availability).
U.S. West/Gulf
LA/LB ports
Pier Pass rates are expected to increase starting 1 November 2023. The new rates are $71.14 per 40’ container
and $35.57 for a 20’.
Rail dwell times are rising in Los Angeles and Long Beach going inland due to a shortage of rail cars. The pre-
Golden Week volumes worsened the problem. Weak export volumes are also contributing to the equipment
imbalance.
Oceania
Australian port logistics and landside container transport services are operating at levels below optimum
following the announcement of Planned Industrial Action at DP World Terminals across Australia.
Work bans and stoppages are scheduled to continue throughout the month of October affecting Brisbane,
Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle terminals. C.H. Robinson will continue to monitor the situation and provide
updates via Client Advisories.
In Victoria, Australia, work continues with the new phase of the Westgate Tunnel project commencing. Major
arterials will be heavily congested and shippers should expect delays with:
The closure of Wurundjeri Way until December 2023.
Significant lane restrictions (Westbound and Eastbound) on Footscray Road in the Swanson Precinct of the
Port of Melbourne.
As a result, expect an increase in missed time slots and truck turnaround times with transport operators
potentially looking to recoup additional costs with the introduction of congestions fees.
National empty parks have given notice of pricing increases through October, review the latest Wharf Ancillary
Charges Client Advisory for more information.

The rates will firm up in the second half of 2023, partially due to the festive season in quarter four. The
trucking industry is booming, with key developments such as improved communications, increased supply
and demand and greater use of technology. The road logistics market in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of
8% over the next three years to reach $330 billion by 2025.
Customs Update
North America
Visit our Trade & Tariff Insights page for the latest news, insights, perspectives and resources from our
customs and trade policy experts.
Oceania
Australia is experiencing delays with the processing of quarantine entries and longer delays where inspections
of cargo is required.
In New Zealand, customs and processing times are currently operating at levels within capacity with no
reported delays. As of 1 October 2023, New Zealand Goods Clearance Fees increased to reflect inflation. A
comprehensive list of changes to the fees are listed in a recent Client Advisory.

Global Freight Market Insights

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Global Freight Market Insights

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Updated on 19 October, 2023

Planning for 2024 already underway?

Forecast and outlook on freight forwarding and global exports

Changes in global exports comparing pre-pandemic to 2022

Impact of labour strikes

Latin America (LATAM)

Rates are picking up for Mexico inbound cargo.

Ocean Freight Update

Global schedule reliability

Source: © Sea Intelligence

South Asia, Middle East and Africa (SAMA)

Inland Drayage Update

The closure of Wurundjeri Way until December 2023.

South Asia, Middle East and Africa (SAMA)

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