EXPECTATION FOR IMPORT FLOW EX FAR EAST TO UKRAINE

Because of the impact of coronavirus container lines been expecting export flows from Far East countries to be decreased – thus for lots of routings smaller vessels been settled. As fact opposite situation happened and now carriers facing big demand in space for exports and as fact shortage. Same time China decreased buying cargoes from other countries so now local shippers facing shortage of containers for exports.

Due to above said please consider following important facts while planning import shipments from Far East nowadays:

* big parcels (10 containers or more) are difficult to accept per shipment without guarantees of rolling;
* container lines trying to avoid accepting heavy 20′ containers (weight 18 mts and above) thus space will be difficult to accept;
* ocean freight expected to be rising constantly – situation expect to keep the same up till February 2021 at least;
* empty containers are in shortage – exporters can postpone shipments one/two weeks in a raw;
* it is expected rates could reach levels FIOS USD XXX/20′ and FIOS USD XXX/40′ before end of 2021;

Our advices basis current situation:
* to plan shipments way in advance (optimal 4 weeks before desirable sailing);
* to be ready container lines to roll shipment at least one week as fact;
* to understand that shipper can face shortage of empty equipment – thus either to wait one/two week or to change carrier;
* to do your best you contract to be shipped latest first half of December;
* in 2021 try to arrange your shipments within early January since traditionally shippers will try to close their orders before Spring Festival (in 2021 dates would be within Feb 11-17) thus big demand in space – as fact increases of rates/space/equipment shortages;