Dear Renlaw customers,
As many of you know we have been experiencing difficulties with the shipping in of steel, blanks, and some of the blades we carry which are produced in the UK and Germany by our strategic partners.
The below is an extract from the latest newsletter of one of SA’s most trusted logistics companies.
Space
There has been no change in the situation following our last newsletter. Planned blank sailings seem to be the order of the day and MSC has just announced another blank sailing for week 23. Whilst carriers will only look at opening up bookings mid-June, freight rates continue to increase aggressively and appear to be reaching rates last seen during “Covid” times.
Routes to Europe and South America from the Far East are more lucrative and carriers know they can fetch a rate as high as $12000 per container on these routes. Shipping lines want to make more money on the lucrative routes, removing vessels on the South African trade route. Thus creating a demand on the SA route which has caused higher rates and longer wait times, with more delays than before.
Rates
This remains a challenging time not just for Logistics providers and importers, but for the South African economy as a whole. “
We trust it will shed some light on the current shipping situation. May it clear up quickly.