Asia to UK ocean container rate increases less than 2 weeks away - are you prepared?

Here's a piece I posted on LinkedIn yesterday, quite relevant if you're an Asia importer. I have a lot of contacts in the forwarding sector and have our ear close to the ground on this one (as always!).

Major ocean freight rate increases from Asia to UK just 2 weeks away - are you prepared?

For those of you who import product from Asia, hopefully you’re aware of the huge rate increases planned for July 1st, just 2 weeks from now.

The question is, where are you now in terms of your inbound freight costs and have you arranged to have as much product on the water from Asia by June 30th? Have your rates and landed costs been following the market on the way down for the past 3-4 months and do you have a strategy to limit the impact of any GRIs(General Rate Increases)?

We’re now in the run up to peak season on Asia-Europe, when volumes will firm up, space will become tighter and your landed costs could rapidly escalate.

We’re actively managing a portfolio of ocean (and air) freight traffic on behalf of our UK customer base and monitor the market daily.

If you are concerned about the impact of these increases, which will effectively add up to USD 2000 to the freight cost of a 40 foot container from Asia to say Felixstowe, then please do contact us.

We’re expert in this area and use our market knowledge and collective bargaining power to ensure our customers’ freight costs are kept competitive and under control.

I’m happy to speak with any companies in this group with concerns and who wish to find a way to reduce their air or ocean freight costs and find a way to better manage their freight and Customs activity.

Kind Regards


Andy Cliff
Director
Straightforward Consultancy

http://www.straightforwardconsultancy.co.uk

http://www.maerskline.com/globalfile/?path=/pdf/advisories/13/20130604

Tel : 07934 443492
Email : andy@straightforwardconsultancy.co.uk
Web : www.straightforwardconsultancy.co.uk
Twitter: @AndyCliffSCL