SITC INTERNATIONAL(01308.HK)：3Q25 FREIGHT RATES IN LINE WITH EXPECTATIONS;UPBEAT ON PERFORMANCE IN PEAK SEASON

Core Viewpoint - SITC International reported a decline in revenue and freight rates in 3Q25, indicating a challenging market environment for container shipping [1][2]. Financial Performance - Revenue for SITC in 3Q25 was US$796 million, down 1.7% year-over-year (YoY) and 11.9% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) [1]. - Container shipping volume increased by 8.9% YoY but decreased by 11.0% QoQ to 920,179 TEU [1]. - The average freight rate was US$712 per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU), reflecting a decrease of 12.0% YoY and 5.7% QoQ [1]. Market Trends - Freight rates softened during the low season in 3Q25, with Southeast Asian route rates declining sharply by 30.6% YoY and 11.7% QoQ, while Japanese route rates increased by 20.5% YoY but fell 2.3% QoQ [2]. - Supply tightness for small container ships in Asia is expected to persist, with an annual supply growth of only 1-2% over the next three years [2][3]. Capacity and Demand Dynamics - Increased feeder demand due to Red Sea diversions has contributed to supply tightness, with capacity for vessels under 3,000 TEU increasing by 8.5% from end-2023 to October 2025 [3]. - Charter rates for 1,700 TEU and 2,750 TEU vessels increased by 37.8% and 16.4% YoY, respectively, indicating tight capacity conditions [3]. Industry Shifts - The trend of industrial relocation may accelerate due to the latest US tariff policy, potentially boosting intra-Asia cargo volumes [4]. - China and ASEAN countries experienced YoY export and import growth of 9.6% from January to September 2025, driven by ongoing supply chain relocations [4]. Valuation - SITC maintains an OUTPERFORM rating with a target price of HK$36 per share, implying a 27.0% upside based on 10.0x 2025 estimated price-to-sales (P/S) [5].