Asia-Mexico Maritime Freight Concludes 2023 with a 3.81% Decrease
The maritime freight cost between Asia and Mexico concluded 2023 with a 3.81% decrease, averaging $1,638 per 40-foot container (FEU) in the last month. The yearly average stood at $1,994 per FEU, reflecting a 45% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The rise is possibly attributed to higher costs for shipowners, including fuel, crew, salary increments, fleet renewal, etc., as per Eternity Group Mexico’s report.
Mexican Pacific ports play a vital role in the transportation of Asian goods and serve as an exit point for Mexican cargo destined for Asia. In 2023, these ports received six million 147 thousand 496 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), a 2.0% increase from the previous year. Of these, three million 125 thousand 214 TEU were concentrated in import services (2.5% increase), and two million 978 thousand 98 TEU in exports (0.2% increase).
Analyzing global additional capacity, Eternity Group Mexico’s report highlighted the delivery of over 252 thousand TEU in new ships, with MSC being the most favored shipping line with over 97 thousand TEU. According to Alphaliner, MSC led in deployed capacity with a 22% annual growth, representing a variation of over one million TEU through the acquisition of new high-capacity vessels (megamax/neo-panamax).
In 2023, MSC was followed by Maersk with a slight adjustment (-2.7%), and CMA CGM in third place with a growth of 5.4% (+184 thousand TEU). The report suggests that CMA CGM will soon secure the second position due to new ship orders. The beginning of 2024 is expected to see a continued rise in space availability to meet the peak season demand for the Chinese New Year, as most importers finalize their last orders by late January, considering the temporary shutdown of Chinese factories for approximately 7-21 days.
To read the full article: https://t21.com.mx/flete-maritimo-asia-mexico-cierra-2023-con-un-descenso-de-3-81/