集装箱漂流记丨“地中海亚历山大”号的13天，见证太平洋上的“抢运潮”与“过剩潮”

Core Insights - The shipping market has experienced dramatic fluctuations, with freight rates initially soaring and then plummeting due to excessive capacity investment by shipping companies [1][9][11] - The global trade landscape is undergoing significant changes, influenced by tariff adjustments and supply chain dynamics, leading to increased shipping demand from China to the U.S. [2][7][17] Group 1: Market Dynamics - The freight rates on the U.S. West Coast dropped from over $5000/FEU to $3500/FEU within a short period, reflecting the volatility in shipping costs [2][11] - After the announcement of reciprocal tariff reductions on May 12, there was a surge in orders from U.S. clients, with one company reporting over 5 million yuan in orders within a day, accounting for over 20% of its monthly sales [2][15] - By early June, the operational volume of shipping companies on the U.S. routes increased significantly, with a reported 4.9 million TEUs handled in one week, marking an 18% year-on-year increase [1][6] Group 2: Capacity and Operations - The number of containers at Shanghai's ports has been rising, with approximately 300 containers reported at a terminal by June 13, surpassing pre-tariff levels [5][6] - Shipping companies have been adjusting their operations to meet the increased demand, with the average number of containers handled per day rising from 3000 to 5000 after May 14 [6][7] - The shipping capacity for the U.S. routes has been restored to over 100%, with some companies even exceeding normal operational levels [9][10] Group 3: Future Outlook - The shipping market is expected to remain busy in June and July, with significant increases in cargo volumes anticipated following positive signals from U.S.-China trade talks [6][7] - Companies are preparing for ongoing demand by enhancing their operational capabilities, including the addition of new cranes and electric trucks to improve efficiency [7][8] - Despite the current volatility, there is a trend towards stabilizing freight rates as competition increases and shipping capacity expands [9][11][14]