During August and September, the maritime freight market from China to Poland-and across the broader European trade lanes-experiences its traditional peak season. Driven by high demand, certain popular sailings faced severe space shortages toward the end of August. Major Chinese ports including Ningbo, Shanghai, and Shenzhen experienced significant capacity constraints for shipments destined for Poland's primary hub port of Gdańsk.
Market rates for 40-foot containers (40GP/40HQ) saw actual transaction prices increase by USD 100 to USD 300 on select routes, keeping overall high-cube pricing firm within the USD 3,200 to USD 5,500 range. Meanwhile, 20-foot standard containers (20GP), which rose by approximately 11% to 15% between June and July, generally softened by about 12% to 18% through August and September; nevertheless, rates remain at resiliently high levels compared to the off-season.
Key Recommendations for Shippers:
Advance Booking: We strongly advise booking space with forwarders or carriers at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance to mitigate the risk of vessel rolling or hefty unexpected surcharges resulting from space shortages.
Cost Transparency: Be aware that carriers may implement Peak Season Surcharges (PSS). We recommend requesting a comprehensive quotation inclusive of all local charges from your freight forwarder prior to dispatch.
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