Container Shortages, Cancelled Flights and Increased Rates

We write to inform that we are seeing severe space shortages that are widely affecting the Europe-Asia-Europe trade lane and now impacting a number of other trade lanes.

As result of the Coronavirus outbreak, containers have been held at ports in China longer than normal and this, in conjunction with cancelled vessel sailings, has led to container shortages in Europe and in North America. Accordingly, we are experiencing a significant reduction in available space on vessels from/to Asia and to India/Middle East/Australasia.

Similarly, the cancellation of a significant number of passenger flights through to the end of March has led to a reduction in belly-hold capacity for air freight shipments.

As a result of the shortage in capacity for both air and ocean freight, we are seeing an increase in freight rates and surcharges on shipments to/from the aforementioned regions.

These combined circumstances are unprecedented and we would request that customers contact Alliance as soon as possible regarding any upcoming orders they may have to move. We will then provide the optimum rate and space availability to accommodate your requirements.

The Covid-19 epidemic will continue to cause issues for the foreseeable future but rest assured, Alliance have full contingency plans in place to cope with even the most extreme circumstances and we thank you for your continued support.

We will update you accordingly with any further information we receive.