With the first Quarter of 2016 behind us, it is interesting to check in to see where the freight rates Ex China are sitting.
As you can see from this chart, rates are significantly lower than that of 2015. It was around this time last year that we reported in on rates and how they were trending. What seemed like rates too good to be true in March, April or May 2015 now seem a little high when we you place them in comparison to March or April of this year.
What are the drivers of low freight rates? And why is it a constant up and down situation? It is a simple case of supply and demand. With the low Australian dollar (in March for Example as low as 0.67) and the down turn in mining in Australia, the vessels out of China are carrying less cargo.
To try to make a comparison it is like the circle of life
Today’s media is full of reports on the unrest in our government, the Australian dollar movement, Mining and taxes all these economic drivers will affect where the freight rates sit.