“圣诞老人”催涨海运费，聚酯为何不提“钱”抢出口？

Core Viewpoint - The shipping market is experiencing a seasonal uptick in freight rates due to the holiday season, but polyester exports are not seeing a corresponding surge in demand, indicating a shift in market dynamics and constraints on export activities [1][2]. Group 1: Shipping Market Dynamics - The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) has seen a rebound, with freight rates on key routes such as Europe and the US West Coast increasing by approximately 9.5% and 20% respectively [1]. - Traditionally, rising shipping costs would lead to a rush in polyester exports, but this year, companies are exhibiting restraint due to multiple factors including changes in demand and profit margins [1][2]. Group 2: Demand and Supply Constraints - Global end-consumer demand is recovering slowly, with inflation pressures in Europe and the US limiting consumer spending power [2]. - Overseas clients have completed their basic inventory stocking and are now favoring small-batch, high-frequency replenishment, which reduces the urgency for large-scale orders [2]. - The increase in shipping costs is not driven by strong demand but rather by seasonal shipping patterns and capacity constraints, leading to a unique situation of price increases during a traditionally slow period [2]. Group 3: Impact of Tariff Policies - The imposition of tariffs under the "Trump 2.0" era has disrupted the usual shipping patterns, resulting in a year-on-year decline of about 5% in shipping volumes from Asia to North America [3]. - The expected increase in tariffs led to a temporary spike in exports last year, but this year has seen an earlier decline in export volumes due to the impact of tariff policies [3]. Group 4: Structural Changes in Orders - The absence of a "rush for orders" reflects a structural adjustment in overseas orders, characterized by a focus on essential needs, increased differentiation, and a more diverse regional distribution [5][6]. - High-end polyester products are primarily exported to Europe and Turkey, while lower-end products face intense competition in Southeast Asia, leading to compressed profit margins [5]. Group 5: Future Outlook - Short-term projections indicate that shipping rates may remain high but lack the demand support for sustained increases, suggesting a stable export environment for polyester [7]. - Long-term trends point towards a restructuring of the polyester export landscape, emphasizing the need for differentiation, market expansion, and improved supply chain efficiency [7][8]. - Companies are optimistic about 2026, anticipating a resilient textile export market supported by stable monetary policies and potential growth in emerging markets [8].