Air Freight Rates Navigate Year-End Volatility, E-commerce Impact, and Geopolitical Tensions

The air freight industry experienced fluctuating rates in the last quarter of 2023, with a steady rise leading up to December, followed by a significant drop during the Christmas and New Year period. The Baltic Air Freight Index (BAI00) ended 16.9% lower in the four weeks to January 1, contributing to a year-over-year decline of 31.7%. Despite expectations for a rate spike due to disruptions in ocean shipping, particularly in the Red Sea, air freight rates did not immediately rebound.

The peak season for air cargo, typically observed through the run-up to Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Christmas, followed a normal course. The earlier rise in air freight rates was driven by increased e-commerce activity from China, while the subsequent fall in rates in the final two weeks of December correlated with a decline in spot volumes. Notably, Hong Kong saw a less significant decline in rates compared to other outbound centers, reflecting its role as a leading hub for e-commerce out of southern China.

Rates out of Europe showed diverse trends, with outbound routes from Frankfurt (BAI20) and London (BAI40) experiencing modest increases in December. However, the overall rates were still considerably lower year-over-year. The U.S., on the other hand, witnessed a slight softening of rates from Chicago (BAI50) in December.

While geopolitical concerns persisted, the global macroeconomic outlook brightened towards the end of 2023. Dovish's guidance on interest rates from US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell contributed to a surge in equity markets. Despite uncertainties, the air cargo industry anticipates potential capacity challenges driven by disruptions in ocean shipping, geopolitical issues, and increased demand, potentially leading to a surge in air freight during the upcoming Chinese New Year.

Source: https://www.tacindex.com/blog/air-freight-rates-january-2024-analysis/