Container shipping markets in India and China face significant disruption, resulting in longer transit times and rising freight costs.
Introduction to Container Shipping Disruption
Container shipping markets in India and China are experiencing significant operational disruption, resulting in longer transit times, reduced schedule reliability, constrained equipment availability, and rising freight costs. At Oceanic Express LLP, we are working closely with shipping lines, terminals, and inland partners to minimize disruption and identify practical alternatives for affected cargo.
India Market Update
The Indian container market is under sustained pressure across both export and import supply chains. A combination of strong export demand, restricted carrier capacity, equipment shortages, and ongoing congestion at key gateway ports is making vessel space increasingly difficult to secure. These conditions are contributing to vessel rollovers, revised sailing schedules, extended transit times, peak season surcharges (PSS), and highly volatile freight rates.
Freight Rates and Surcharges
Spot-market freight levels for India–US East Coast shipments are currently ranging from approximately USD 10,000–12,000 per 40HC, depending on port pairing, routing, and available capacity. Carriers continue to introduce Peak Season Surcharges for both spot and contract cargo. These charges increased through August, with further increases being announced for September.
- Average August PSS levels are around USD 5,000 per 40HC
- Maersk has announced a PSS increase to USD 7,500 per 40HC, effective 1 September
- Further PSS increases remain possible across other India export markets
- Rate volatility is expected to continue into September as carriers maintain tight capacity controls and place further pressure on allocations
Key gateways potentially affected include JNPT/Nhava Sheva, India's busiest container gateway and a major export hub for US-bound cargo; Mundra, India's largest private container port, handling significant volumes of US-bound exports; and Hazira, an important feeder and export gateway for manufacturing cargo from Western India.
Port Congestion and Equipment Availability
Active monsoon conditions are affecting port operations and inland transport across India's west coast. The disruption is expected to continue in the near term and may cause further delays to container movements, terminal operations, rail services, and road transport around major gateways. Container availability, particularly for 40HC equipment, remains inconsistent at several export locations, which may delay booking confirmation and require longer lead times for exporters.
China Port Disruption
Typhoon Dolphin has created further disruption at Chinese ports following the impact of Typhoon Bavi just weeks earlier. The storm brought heavy rain and strong winds to Zhejiang province before moving on as a tropical storm. Authorities have warned of continued risks from torrential rain, flooding, and landslides, while flight cancellations and transport disruption have also affected the wider region.
Temporary closures at Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, and surrounding feeder ports disrupted cargo handling and vessel movements. Current impacts include vessels delayed, held at anchorage, or diverted to alternative ports; service schedules changing at short notice; delays of 7–21 days remaining common on affected services, with some potentially longer; and ongoing congestion as terminals process accumulated cargo.
As a leading freight forwarding company in Kolkata, India, Oceanic Express LLP is committed to providing our customers with the latest updates and expert guidance to navigate these challenging market conditions. If you are concerned about the impact of container shipping disruption on your business, please do not hesitate to contact us at +91-9830041358 or +91-9831034014. Our team of experienced logistics professionals is always available to help you find the best solutions for your cargo needs.