Asia-Pacific freight markets retain a positive outlook for intra-Asia trade even as optimism for the transpacific and Asia-Europe trades starts to subside ahead of the peak season, according to the latest APAC Forwarding Index survey results.
The survey revealed robust volume growth and forward sentiment on intra-Asia trades, but freight forwarders appear less confident about transpacific and Asia-Europe trades as air and ocean volume growth on these routes stalled in June.
The positive prediction for intra-Asia trades comes as some 49.3% of survey respondents indicated “higher” month-to-month intra-Asia volumes in June, while 44% reported the “same” month-to-month volumes.
“Gains in rail were strong with 78% of respondents reporting ‘higher’ volumes as China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative gains traction,” said Cathy Roberson.
Roberson conducted the survey with fellow consultant Mike King as the pair continue to collate data ahead of the launch of their new APAC Forwarding Index.
The latest survey also revealed buoyant three-month intra-Asia demand expectations, with 43% of respondents anticipating “higher” volumes across modes in September than experienced in June.
“Rail sentiment was strongest with 72% of respondents expecting ‘higher’ volumes,” said Roberson. “55% of respondents predict ‘higher’ volumes for ocean in September compared to June and 45% of respondents expect ‘higher’ intra-Asia volumes by air.
“Economic indicators across most of the Asia Pacific region remain very positive and there is no sign of slowing intra-regional trade by sea and air.
“But international road and rail services in Asia are relatively undeveloped, certainly compared to Europe, so I think that’s where we can expect significant and dynamic long-term freight expansion.”
APAC ocean forwarding markets
In the June APAC Forwarding Index survey, only 35.7% of respondents predicted “higher” volumes on APAC lanes for ocean freight in September compared to June, while 31.2% anticipated “lower” volumes.
On the APAC-North America head-haul trade, 38% of respondents predicted “higher” volumes in September compared to June and 42% “lower.” Meanwhile, 58% of respondents anticipated the “same” volumes on the backhaul North America-APAC trade.
The fall in optimism—at least compared to previous surveys—chimes with recent ocean spot freight rate declines on the major trades, said the report.
However, the latest results for freight volumes on APAC ocean freight trades in June compared to May were positive. Some 50.8% of respondents indicated “higher” volumes in June versus May. This compared to 47.5% noting “higher” in May when compared to April.
“Could peak season patterns be shifting or is this the result of global economic uncertainties?” said Roberson. “There certainly seems to be uncertainty about how strong and long this year’s ocean peak season will be and the readings on the Transpacific and Asia-Europe have diverged.
“Spot freight rates have been volatile and bearish on headhaul trades in recent weeks and the economic signs on exports out of Asia have been mixed. It will be very interesting to see how ocean volumes fare in July and August and how this plays out in liner markets.”
APAC air forwarding markets
The three-month air freight outlook has also taken a bearish turn, said the report. Only 22.6% of survey respondents predicted “higher” volumes across APAC air freight trade lanes in September compared to June, while 38% forecast “lower” volumes.
“In the next three months, we are hopeful of some growth in air cargo demand but we expect rates to be flat,” noted one respondent. “We’re not expecting a major change until Q4.”
European lanes were the most optimistic, with 34% of respondents on the Europe-APAC lane expecting “higher” volumes in September compared to June, while 47% expected APAC-Europe lane volumes to be the “same” and 19% expect them to be “higher.”
Optimism on North American lanes declined significantly with only 22% of survey respondents forecasting “higher” volumes for the North America-APAC lane over the period, and 44% predicting “lower.” On the APAC-North America lane, 22% predicted “higher” volumes and 41% “lower.”
Month-to-month air freight forwarding volumes also saw slower growth last month. Some 41.4% of respondents recorded “higher” air freight volumes on APAC air freight lanes in June compared to May, while 35.2% noted “lower” volumes.
“After two months of 50% plus noting ‘higher’ month-to-month volumes optimism is dimming—41.4% is the lowest response we have recorded noting ‘higher’ APAC air freight volumes in our first four months of surveys,” said Roberson. “Meanwhile, those respondents noting ‘lower’ air freight volumes—35.2%, month-to-month—was a sharp increase from the 5% noting the ‘same’ from April to May.”
Photo: Public Domain
