News / Forwarder angst as carriers switch vessels onto the best-paying tradelanes

© Vladimir Serebryanskiy |

Ocean carriers continue to shift tonnage from intra-Asia and north-south trades to more lucrative east-west routes, which is in turn driving freight rates up on these secondary trades, threatening the sustainability of global markets.

Alphaliner said its data showed transpacific routes between Asia and North America had attracted the most extra tonnage over the past few months.

There has been a substantial increase in extra capacity, said the consultant. “Alphaliner currently counts more than 30 ships between the Far East and the ...