The spot market continues to ease: the global container index tracked by Drewry is declining once again, confirming a downward trend that is weighing on negotiations and the visibility of the players. Behind the statistics, it is a signal that the major East-West routes (Transpacific, Asia-Europe) are entering a less “tense” phase, with increased pressure on carriers to defend their revenue levels.

For the logistics community, the consequence is twofold. On the shippers’ side, the drop in spot rates provides some breathing room and improves their negotiating leverage. On the shipowners’ side, the issue becomes one of capacity management: blank sailings, ship reallocations, and network arbitrations are once again key tools to avoid too rapid a drop in prices. In clear terms: prices are falling, but instability can remain high — which forces supply chains to secure their commitments more finely.

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