航运费飙升467%! 地缘冲突与制裁正在颠覆全球大宗海运格局

Core Viewpoint - The global shipping freight rates for commodities, including energy and bulk minerals, are experiencing an unprecedented year-end surge due to ongoing geopolitical conflicts, Western sanctions, and rising production levels, which are disrupting global shipping supply lines [1] Group 1: Freight Rate Increases - The daily earnings for transporting crude oil products on key global routes have surged by 467% from the beginning of the year to the end of November [1] - Freight rates for liquefied natural gas and iron ore have increased by over four times and two times, respectively [1][4] - The benchmark for shipping bulk commodities, including grain and minerals, reached a 20-month high by the end of November due to expectations surrounding a major iron ore project in Guinea and weather-related delays near China's coast [4] Group 2: Supply Chain Disruptions - Geopolitical tensions, such as attacks by Houthi forces on Red Sea commercial vessels, have forced some ships to reroute, increasing the "ton-miles" metric, which indicates longer transportation distances [5] - The effective shipping capacity has been artificially reduced due to slower turnaround times, with the same fleet now able to complete fewer trips per year [5] - The shipping industry is facing a static number of vessels, leading to a significant impact on freight rates due to reduced effective capacity [5] Group 3: Market Dynamics and Future Outlook - Despite a slight decline from the peak in late November, high transportation costs continue to have a positive ripple effect across the shipping market [6] - Major U.S. LNG buyers have considered delaying shipments, while some oil tanker operators are opting for longer routes to secure higher profits [6] - Shipping companies remain cautious about fleet renewal and strategic decisions due to high new ship prices and potential price declines following the reopening of the Red Sea [6] - Analysts suggest that the current year-end freight rate surge is driven by a combination of strong demand, reduced effective supply, and longer shipping routes, rather than seasonal trends or market speculation [7]