Global Freight Market Insights

Updated on November 16, 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.

Navigating the intricacies of domestic, cross-border, and international shipping demands a thoughtful strategy focused on enhancing efficiency and reducing expenses. One effective solution lies in consolidating freight transportation and customs brokerage under the management of a single third party logistics provider (3PL).

Relying on a single entity to manage both facets of your supply chain can unlock a wide range of benefits—moving you one step closer to seamless shipping operations. See what it takes and empower your business to effortlessly overcome the complexities of cross-border trade.

1. Improve efficiency across operations
Consolidating both freight and customs brokerage with a single logistics provider streamlines operations, cuts out unnecessary tasks, reduces administrative hassles, and decreases the chances of errors. Not to mention, the flow of information between freight forwarding and customs clearance is seamless. This not only speeds up processing times but also ensures more efficient border crossings by removing bottlenecks.

2. Simplify communication channels
Working with a logistics provider removes the hassle of coordinating communications across many service providers. Instead, you'll have a designated point of contact with established communication channels, ensuring consistent, timely updates, and swift resolution to any potential issues. This unified approach promotes transparent and efficient supply chain management, allowing you to concentrate on your core competencies.

3. Reduce unnecessary expenses
Consolidating services to one 3PL not only streamlines administrative processes, but also helps you leverage the economies of scale. With higher volumes of freight to work with, your provider can better negotiate competitive rates on your behalf and deliver more accurate forecasting—for more precise bids in the future.

Other ways to maximize your bottom line can be achieved by capitalizing on newfound efficiencies. For example, by working with a single provider, you can avoid paying documentation handover fees you may not even be aware of. These fees can be incurred from both the freight forwarder and the customs broker.

Collaborating with consistent experts to implement best practices can help boost your bottom line by avoiding common mistakes and their associated penalties.

Global suite of services
Supply chain solutions from a single provider minimizes the need for multiple providers while still meeting all your logistics and technology needs today and in the future. When evaluating potential providers, ensure they offer multimodal services in the regions of the world where you operate—from domestic truckload to specialized air freight. For truly seamless shipping, your 3PL should be able to oversee everything from simple shipments to your most complex freight needs.

Compliance management expertise
When it comes to navigating the intricacies of customs regulations, your in-house team may not have the expertise required. A dedicated provider possesses in-depth understanding of customs regulations, documentation, and trade compliance across different countries and regions. Relying on their expertise allows you to optimize your shipments for compliance with the requisite regulations, reducing the chances of delays, penalties, and other compliance-related complications.

Visibility across your entire supply chain
Cutting-edge technology platforms, such as Navisphere^®, provide real-time tracking and monitoring capabilities, so you are always in the loop on your freight’s location. Having transparency and traceability throughout the shipping process empowers you to proactively handle potential disruptions, mitigate risks, and make well-informed decisions to optimize your supply chain operations.

Effectively manage trade across all levels
In today's interconnected global economy, managing complex logistics solutions and navigating region- and industry-specific regulations are essential for successful shipping. Opting to consolidate your freight transportation and customs brokerage under one third-party logistics provider is a savvy move—for a smoother overall experience.

Connect with our experts to see how working with one provider for all your transportation and customs brokerage needs can impact your business.

It is likely demand will increase in the next two months due to the typical year-end consumer spending surge. There has been a gradual increase in rates and tightening of capacity in specific trade lanes as a result. In general, there’s no significant capacity issues. Expect rates to hold up into the new year.

Be aware of increased demand leading to potential capacity constraints. Monitor for any changes in regulations due to the evolving pandemic situation.

Potential labor strikes by air traffic controllers in Southern Europe might impact flight schedules. Check for updates on regulatory changes affecting air cargo.

Fluctuating COVID-19 regulations may affect air cargo operations. Keep an eye on any local labor strikes or protests impacting airport operations.

The U.S. export market is stable as demand remains low relative to capacity. Capacity is generally available globally with few exceptions.

U.S. imports continues to experience stronger demand from Asia during peak season than during the summer months. With very little additional capacity entering the market, expect the spot market to remain tight through November and into early December. December should see lower volumes, though it will likely be met with reduced capacity in response.

For Europe exports to the United States., the market remains relatively well-balanced between capacity and demand, even with the capacity reductions that come with the winter schedule. While a surge in demand is not expected, if demand increases, there may be some capacity challenges and spot market rate increases.

Capacity to Oceania continues to grow, however there are some capacity restraints caused by Northern summer season travel and additional fuel loads required—particularly from North America on direct flights. Softening of these restrictions and further additional capacity is expected throughout Q4 2023.

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.

Middle East tensions might lead to air space restrictions. Keep watch for any sudden updates. COVID-19 protocols can also affect cargo handling in some countries.

As the situation in Israel evolves, C.H. Robinson will continue to work closely with Ruth Cargo, our exclusive agent in Israel, to stay on top of the events and the impact those will have on supply chains in the region.

Several international airlines have already adjusted their flight schedules in response to the situation and it's unknown at this time when they will return to normal operations. While Israeli airlines have increased their flight frequency, it’s unlikely this will offset the capacity lost from foreign airlines—C.H. Robinson is adjusting solutions accordingly. 

Ocean freight demand on most trade lanes is not meaningfully increasing. 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.

Carriers 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 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.

November spot freight rates for the Trans-Pacific trade lane and Asia–Europe have rebounded, riding on the back of short- and long-term capacity cuts. However, the sustainability of the rate hikes will largely depend on carriers’ ability to manage the excess capacity in the market. New vessel deliveries in October exceeded 200,000 TEUs for the fifth consecutive month while vessel scrapping remains immaterial.

THE Alliance announced the withdrawal of the EC4 service from mid-November, which takes out 12,000 TEUs of weekly of trade capacity from Southeast Asia to the U.S. East Coast.

Demand continues to be soft on this trade lane. Vessel capacity far exceeds demand. The Journal of Commerce reports that rates have fallen by as much as 80% year-over-year on this trade.

THE Alliance’s removal of the FE5 in November marks the first service withdrawn this year in the Asia–Europe trade lane, while 2M and OCEAN have only relied on ad-hoc blank sailings. This has helped support the much-needed November 1, 2023, rate restoration for carriers as they prepare to start the 2024 BCO contract negotiations. Overall capacity in November is expected to fall for the second straight month.

• Expect potential delays in major ports due to customs clearance and container availability issues. Monitor weather patterns, especially during hurricane season.
• Strikes by dockworkers in major European ports, especially in the Mediterranean, may cause delays. Keep contingency plans for rerouting if necessary.
• Ongoing rail maintenance in Central Europe might cause temporary disruptions. Watch for any labor disputes affecting rail services.
• Continued low water levels at the Rhine River are affecting barge transports due to draft restrictions. As of October 2023, a pass-through low water surcharge from the carriers will be assessed for both import and export cargo.

The EU will implement a carbon tax system called the Emissions Trading System (ETS) that will apply to the shipping industry effective in January 2024. Ocean carriers are advising that ETS will significantly increase their costs, which will be passed on to cargo owners.

Analysts are advising that ETS could also cause ocean carriers to adjust their shipping schedules into and out of Europe, which could significantly disrupt European supply chains. The costs are expected to be announced at the end of November/early December 2023.

Due to low water levels at the reservoir feeding the Panama Canal, draft restrictions have been in place since April 2023. In conjunction with the draft restrictions, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) lowered the daily transits through the canal to 32 vessels per day effective July 30, 2023, reduced from the usual 34–38 vessels per day. As of November 3, 2023, the daily transits were once again decreased from 31 to 25. There are plans to gradually reduce further over the next three months to 18 slots a day by February 1, 2024.

As a result of persistent civil unrest in Guatemala, the ports in that country have been inaccessible. Carriers are now announcing that they will need to divert vessels away from Guatemala ports until the ports re-open.

Congestion at transshipment ports in Asia remains an issue. Shipments 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.

A wave of new vessel capacity will enter the market in Q4 2023 and into 2024. The vessels are mainly expected to be added to the Asia trade lanes, which will further widen the gap between capacity and demand.

Demand has dropped off significantly, particularly on the Trans-Atlantic westbound (TAWB) trade lane, which has created significant overcapacity from the U.S. East Coast (USEC) to Europe.

Space is still tight (ex U.S. West Coast (USWC) to Europe) due to lack of sailing options, and carriers are substantially booked on the all-water services (ex Los Angeles and Oakland).

Continued low water levels at the Rhine River are affecting barge transports due to draft restrictions. As of October 2023, a pass-through low water surcharge from the carriers will be assessed for both import and export cargo.

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).

Due to lengthy drought conditions, the water levels on the Amazon River into Manaus port have been low for some time. Carriers cancelled direct services and started to introduce indirect services so smaller vessels would be used for the transport along the river leading to Manaus port.

As water levels worsened, carriers have been imposing significant low water surcharges into Manaus. Now, further reduction in water levels have caused carriers to announce a temporary suspension of service until water levels can be improved.

Direct carrier service is available both from the USEC and USWC ports, however, peak season is approaching so space will tighten. C.H. Robinson highly recommends booking 3–4 weeks in advance.

Transshipment options to Oceania have improved and there is now more space capacity available.

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug fumigation season is once again in effect for all vessels departing from the United States between September 1, 2023, through May 2024.

Space is improving on this trade lane in general, especially with several carriers announcing they are re-opening space and service into this market. However, stay aware of pockets where space is tight and regular blank sailings still occur.

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.

The Trans-Tasman market has continued to soften. Space and equipment availability is still widely open. Rates are still being reviewed regularly with the introduction of new options on this trade lane.

Direct carrier space is stabilizing from the USEC and continues to be open off the USWC while trans-shipment service options are widely available. Rates have stabilized with supply versus demand being okay.

The Europe to Oceania market continues to see direct carriers trying to hold market share as rates are revised in small increments while 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. There are continued general rate increases (GRIs) being implemented from Northeast Asia to Australia, Australian East Coast ports, and New Zealand.

Export rates are under pressure. Wastepaper, grain, wool, and cotton/cotton seed are still moving in large numbers with load factors strong for the next several weeks but coming up against constant competition and rate pressure. Currently, 20'GP/food quality is hard to forecast for Melbourne and Adelaide amidst solid grain season. Feeder space to ISC is tight across most carriers with small allocations against demand from Singapore.

Watch for port congestion in major hubs such as Dubai, and potential delays due to geopolitical events affecting shipping routes.

Rail infrastructure development in South Asia may cause temporary disruptions. Political unrest in certain areas might impact cross-border rail shipments.

The recent outbreak of conflict in Israel has caused disruption and port congestion in the region, but for now, carriers are continuing to offer service to all Israeli ports. The port most at risk is Ashdod, and some carriers are choosing to divert their vessels from Ashdod to Haifa.

There is also a severe limitation placed on the acceptance of HAZMAT goods into Israeli ports. Several carriers have announced a war risk surcharge for shipments to/from Israel, and the amounts vary. 

In past similar events, carriers’ insurance for vessels transiting through war zones have gone up, which leads to a pass-through charge of war risk surcharges. Carriers may also change their routings to avoid the area. The proximity of the Suez Cana, while unaffected, will be something to watch as well. Steamship lines could route vessels via Cape of Good Hope, with increased transit times and additional fuel costs, which could trigger further BAF increases in the future.

The domestic transportation market increased with the arrival of the traditional peak season. Freight rates experience a brief rebound as the demand for transportation grows compared to earlier in the year (i.e., Q2 and Q3). The transportation market is expected to maintain until the end of the year. But due to the decline in overall demand compared to last year, trucking capacity is still in a surplus state and asset-heavy transport fleets are under pressure to feed drivers and vehicles.

Transit time in the Pingxiang port from China to Southeast Asia now is 2–3 days as there is a volatile rise in the cross-border trucking demand. There are a variety of options to speed up your border crossings, work with C.H. Robinson to find the right solution for you. Meanwhile, there is no congestion situation for import trucking from Southeast Asia to China after fruit seasons.

Keep an eye on labor strikes in rail companies, particularly in countries such as Brazil where several strikes have occurred so far this year. Infrastructure challenges might lead to temporary halts in rail services.

With more cargo being shifted to the Southeast, Savannah, Charleston, and Jacksonville are working on new projects that will increase port capacity and accommodate larger vessels. 

Savannah
The Georgia Port Authority recently shared the state’s Department of Transportation would be raising a bridge over the Savannah River to accommodate larger ships.

Charleston
South Carolina will launch a project to raise one of the Charleston area’s major bridges, allowing the North Charleston Terminal to handle vessels up to 20,000 TEUs hoping to attract cargo volumes moving through the Suez Canal.

Jacksonville
The Port of Jacksonville is raising power lines that span a waterway there, limiting the size of vessels that can call the port.

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 lightning, and carriers are reporting open capacity. 

Memphis
A new chassis pool has launched in Memphis that the operator hopes will provide a better experience for truckers and cargo owners frustrated with restrictions over which chassis can be used to haul ocean containers.

ONE containers in Union Pacific Railroad’s Memphis terminal will be mounted onto MPOC chassis, and the pool will also have a depot inside BNSF Railway’s terminal to supply truckers with equipment.

In the BNSF ramp, any MPOC chassis can be used on any container for most merchant haulage cargo. As for Canadian National, CSX, and Norfolk Southern Railways, these are grounded terminals so there are currently no restrictions in many situations.

BNSF Memphis is anticipating delays due to crane issues. The railroad has reported there is a crane down and currently there is no estimated return to service. This could impact deliveries and appointment times. There is also a potential for increased driver wait time accessorial charges.

LA/LB ports
It has been confirmed that the ITS terminal in Long Beach will remain open, however they are not accepting any vessels until further notice.

Empty stop-offs are currently increasing. Limited return appointments are causing drivers to return the container to their yard. C.H. Robinson is still trying to understand the trend, looking into carriers with more stops offs than others and addressing the issue on an individual basis. Carriers are required to provide back up for any additional charges that occur.

Pier Pass charges increased starting November 1, 2023:

• 40ft = $71.14
• 20ft = $35.57

Montreal
The contract between union labor and the port of Montreal authority expires on December 31, 2023. Contract talks have begun and based on initial reports the two sides are far apart. If there is any disruption to the port of Montreal operations due to these negotiations, anticipate significant cargo diversion to the USEC and Halifax/Saint John ports.

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 November impacting Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Fremantle terminals. C.H. Robinson will continue to monitor the situation; watch for updates in our Client Advisories.

As reported in October, work continues with the new phase of the Westgate Tunnel project in Melbourne, Victoria. 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 November. Review the latest Wharf Ancillary Charges Client Advisory for more information.

Visit our Trade & Tariff Insights page for the latest news, insights, perspectives, and resources from our customs and trade policy experts.

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.

Earlier this month, an announcement was made that Australia has decided to walk away from negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Europe. Negotiations have been ongoing since 2018, with discussion that both parties will need to re-engage in conversations following the 2024 elections in Europe.