US Lane: Black Friday cargo build-up is drawing to an end. Cargo volumes will gradually ease in mid-to-late October, with freight rates softening from high levels. It is not recommended to lock in long-term contracts at elevated rates.
EU Lane: Carriers intend to implement rate hikes. However, the resumption of Suez Canal transit has diverted capacity, making it difficult for such increases to take effect.
Korea-China Near Trade Lane: The market will remain firm in mid-to-late October, with periodic space tightness. The routine of space enquiry on Mondays and Tuesdays stays unchanged. Please confirm container type and VGM in advance whenever possible.
Container Supply: Prices of second-hand containers have no fundamental support for sharp rises in the short term. For bulk SOC shipments, it is advisable to inspect containers at the depot and complete CSC nameplate certification beforehand.
Qingdao Qianwan Terminal (QQCT / QQCTN) is experiencing mild congestion. Some vessels are waiting for berth, while cargo handling after berthing remains acceptable. At QDYG (Qingdao Port Logistics Yard), longer queues are expected for import container pick-up, resulting in extended waiting time.
Port backlog built up during the National Day holiday and is being gradually cleared post-holiday. Pre-peak-season stocking starts in mid-to-late October, bringing a month-on-month rise in container volume. Space will tighten in late October, with high risks of overbooking and cargo rolling.
Schedule reliability is poor. Ocean-going services generally suffer delays of 3–7 days, whereas the Korea near-sea route remains relatively stable.