XSI® US
Capacity management protects freight rates for carriers
The XSI® for imports into the US has maintained its position as the highest scoring sub-index at 182.1 points, albeit 2.5% lower than October. Successful capacity management on the hugely-important Far East to US West Coast trade has proved to be critical for carriers in protecting freight rates.
With volumes now recovering and posting impressive increases compared to the same month in 2023, carriers’ capacity management is being rewarded through a marginal year-on-year increase in spot rates. It stands out as the only major trade to see spot rates up compared to November 2022 and is an indication of the priority placed on it by carriers.
Shippers are now also facing higher cost for importing volumes into the US East Coast, with several carriers announcing new surcharges related to Panama Canal restrictions.
The XSI® for US exports posted the smallest month-on-month decrease in November, falling by just 0.4% to 131.1 points.
