The Ningbo Containerised Freight Index (NCFI), which tracks spot rates for container shipments departing from Ningbo to key global destinations, recorded a general downward trend this past week. Rates across major tradelanes, including Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East, all declined compared to the previous week.
General downward trend
Freight rates from Ningbo to Northern Europe fell to 764.00, marking a 4.04% decrease. Shipments to the West Mediterranean dropped by 3.16% to 1,259.08, while rates to the East Mediterranean declined 2.48% to 962.33. The sharpest fall occurred on the Ningbo–Middle East route, which saw a 5.13% drop to 793.31.
This week’s declines continue a trend seen in previous months, where softening demand and a gradual easing of supply chain disruptions have pulled freight rates down from earlier highs. Rates to Europe and the Mediterranean have been consistently slipping, reflecting waning post-peak season demand and improved vessel availability. The Middle East route, which had experienced sharp price swings earlier in the year due to supply chain volatility, now appears to be stabilizing but still remains sensitive to shifts in capacity.
Looking ahead, it remains to be seen whether the market will find a floor or continue to slide as the Northern Hemisphere enters the late summer period. Carriers and shippers alike are monitoring the situation closely, especially as seasonal demand fluctuations and global economic pressures continue to influence container traffic patterns.
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Source: Baltic Exchange
