Core Viewpoint - The shipping industry, particularly the European route, is experiencing fluctuations in freight rates due to trade tensions and geopolitical factors, with short-term demand expectations showing signs of improvement despite ongoing uncertainties [1][4]. Group 1: Market Performance - The main contract for European shipping opened lower and fell over 2% during the day, reaching a low of 2261.0 points, following a previous day where it rose over 6% and closed up 4.36% [1]. - The Shanghai export container freight index for European routes reported a decrease of 2.9%, standing at 1265.30 points as of May 19, 2025 [2]. Group 2: Freight Rates - Current spot freight rates for the latter half of May have dropped to a range of $1500-$1900 per FEU, with various shipping companies adjusting their rates, such as YML at around $1600 and MSC at $1890 [2]. - Predictions indicate that the "explosion" of demand on the US routes may continue until late July, potentially leading shipping companies to reallocate capacity from European routes, tightening supply and driving up European freight rates [1]. Group 3: Demand and Supply Dynamics - The demand for European shipping is expected to improve due to a potential recovery in US line demand, which may alleviate pressure on European routes [3][5]. - The average weekly capacity for May, June, and July is projected at 27.46, 29.89, and 29.83 million TEU respectively, with attention needed on future shipping schedule adjustments [5]. Group 4: Market Sentiment and Strategy - Short-term trading sentiment remains bullish due to the lack of significant negative drivers, with expectations for freight rates to rise despite potential downward adjustments in the short term [3]. - Investors are advised to remain cautious and monitor geopolitical developments, capacity, and cargo volume data closely [4].

Report Summary 1. Report Industry Investment Rating - Not provided in the given content 2. Core View - The European container shipping line (EC) opened low and fluctuated, with the 06 contract closing at 1704.7 points, down 6.57%. Most shipping companies' freight rates in the first half of April continued the quotes at the end of March, with a slight increase in the second half. The freight rates in April tend to stabilize, and the average price of a 40 - foot container in the 16th week was around $2300. Some shipping companies have announced their online quotes for May, with the quotes for 40 - foot containers ranging from $2337 to $4545. The weekly average capacity put into service by shipping companies in May exceeds 300,000 TEU, and the rate - increase efforts of each shipping company vary. The market had expectations for the upcoming traditional peak season in the second quarter, but under the uncertainty of high tariffs, shipping companies may start a price - cut game to preserve more profits rather than betting on the peak - season demand, and the expected peak - season node may be postponed or the expected difference may drop to zero. Trump's latest tariff policy "U - turn" announced a 90 - day delay in equivalent tariffs for most countries, which may lead to short - term emotional repair. Attention should be paid to the shipping companies' subsequent capacity regulation and the progress of rate increases in May [1] 3. Summary by Relevant Catalogs 3.1 EC Contract Volume and Price | Contract | Latest Transaction Price (Points) | Latest Increase/Decrease (%) | Trading Volume | Open Interest (Unilateral) | Long - Position Holdings (Top 20 Members) | Short - Position Holdings (Top 20 Members) | Net Long Position (Top 20 Members) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | EC2504 | 1491 | - 1.37 | 556 | 1509 | 1123 | 1264 | - 141 | | EC2506 | 1704.7 | - 6.57 | 86722 | 34705 | 20734 | 19291 | 1443 | | EC2508 | 1703.2 | - 8.18 | 34648 | 28839 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | EC2510 | 1275.8 | - 3.44 | 18080 | 16196 | - | - | - | | EC2512 | 1455.2 | - 4.13 | 3509 | 3554 | - | - | - | | EC2602 | 1295.8 | - 4.05 | 2938 | 2752 | - | - | - | | Total | - | - | 146453 | 87555 | 21857 | 20555 | 1302 | [1] 3.2 Latest Spot Freight Rates - European Routes | Index | Latest Period | Month - on - Month Increase/Decrease | Previous Period | Month - on - Month Increase/Decrease | Two Periods Ago | Month - on - Month Increase/Decrease | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Spot Index (Weekly) - SCFIS (Points) | 1422.42 | - 3.5% | 1473.56 | - 2.2% | 1506.17 | - 6.5% | | SCFI ($/TEU) | 1336 | 1.4% | 1318 | 0.9% | 1306 | - 2.7% | | Spot Freight Rates (Daily) - TCI (20GP) ($/TEU) | 1660 | 0.0% | 1660 | 0.0% | 1660 | 3.7% | | Spot Freight Rates (Daily) - TCI (40GP) ($/FEU) | 2737 | 0.0% | 2737 | 0.0% | 2737 | 8.7% | | Basis Spread (Points) | - | - | - | - | - | 62.3 | [1] 3.3 Spot Market Data - **Capacity and Utilization**: The capacity put into service on the Asia - Europe route is 489,797 TEU, a decrease of 1153 TEU. The idle capacity ratio is 2.4%. For different types of container ships (17000TEU +, 12000 - 16999TEU, 8000 - 11999TEU), the idle capacity ratios are 3.2%, 0.6%, and 2.7% respectively [4] - **Average Speed**: The average speed of container ships is 13.95 knots. The speeds of 17000TEU + and 12000 - 16999TEU container ships are 15.7 and 15.3 knots respectively [4] - **Capacity at Port**: The capacity at Rotterdam Port is 229,100 TEU, at Hamburg Port is 98,200 TEU, and at Singapore Port is 335,300 TEU [4] - **Route - Bypass Situation**: The number of ships passing through the Gulf of Aden is 8, the north - bound traffic volume through the Suez Canal is 2, and the south - bound traffic volume is 1 [4] - **Charter Rates**: The 6 - 12 - month time - charter rates for 9000TEU, 6500TEU, and 2500TEU container ships are $106,000, $73,500, and $33,750 per day respectively [4]