Currently, container freight rates are struggling desperately, and liner companies have adopted the old method of "self rescue". In order to compete in the market, some shipping companies have started a price war.

On June 13, Maersk announced in a letter to its customers that it would provide all Asia with ultra-low freight rates to ports on the West Coast of the United States of the United States by the end of this month. The freight rate per FEU was reduced from $1200 to $850, and the price was reduced by $350.

On the 14th, Maersk launched a special price of $861 per large box for Yantian Meixi, plus $70 in document fees.

Maersk took the lead in the war of freight charges, and the freight rate in the Spot market fell in response. The freight rate was still $1150-1250 this Monday, but now most of them have dropped to $1000, while some companies have kept at $1100.

Maersk's notice from Chinese Mainland is as follows:

Export from Yantian in Shanghai, Qingdao, and Shenzhen, China to Port of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Auckland in the Southwest of the United States (PSW): $850 per FEU (full package price);

The shipping cost per FEU from Yantian, Shanghai, Qingdao, and Shenzhen in China to Vancouver, Prince Rupert Port, and Seattle in the Northwest of the United States (PSN) is $850 (full package price);

China's Shanghai, Qingdao, and Shenzhen Yantian export IPI inland ports Chicago, Detroit, and Fort Worth, with shipping costs starting at $3000 per FEU (full package price).

Some shipping companies have stated that Maersk has only introduced a significant price reduction due to a cabin loading rate of only over 70%. It is estimated that the price will increase or decrease depending on the cargo loading situation in July.

The freight forwarding company asked Maersk how many ultra low priced cabins they would provide for each voyage, but Maersk stated that it was unable to respond. It is rumored in the market that each ship is offered about 100 ultra low price cabins, but no one knows the exact number and can only go online to grab and check.

Previously, Maersk had several freight wars with its customers, with the most significant impact being the drop in freight rates of approximately $800 per TEU on the European route to below $300.

On the 14th, most shipping companies on the US West Line have already offered a freight rate of $1000 per large container, which may fall below $1000 at any time this month. It remains to be seen whether Maersk will expand to other routes such as the US East in the future, but it is estimated that Maersk will not easily launch a freight war on European routes with a high proportion of revenue.

The freight forwarder pointed out that the German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd is also actively promoting online booking, and its operation mode is similar to that of Maersk. The operational space of freight forwarding companies is gradually being compressed.