China export trade is increased so fast during the recent 5 years. Especially in 2006, this outstanding increase made shipping situation going worse.
The existing shipping companies cannot meet by far the rapid cargo growth. However some big shipping companies purchased brand new vessels and containers, there are still a huge goods like steel products are piled in the seaports. This makes many shipping lines become so proud and no more take shippers as God. The ocean freights are going up month by month or week by week. Most ocean freights are 100-300% higher than the cheapest period in the past. The services are going worse and worse than before. A lot of heavy goods are rejected and delayed. When the shipping companies are enjoying the happiness from their profit, shippers are spending much time and energy to explain all the causes to their customers. The business order is broken. The selling prices are confused. For some products, the prices have to be quoted case by case.
During 2006, there are no distinguishing for midseason and off-season. It is said this situation will be continued. There might be no off-season too in 2007. As usual, we may think the ocean freights can possibly be down after Chinese Spring Festival. But this year until now, there are no such indications. The ocean freights to most countries are still very strong or even increased continuously. Nobody knows when this situation will be improved. Let us pray such a day to come in the near future.
