September 2025 demonstrates typical peak season patterns: surging demand, tight capacity, and rate increases across major trade lanes.
Leading carriers have announced general rate increases:
Maersk: Implementing PSS of $700/TEU on Asia-Middle East routes from September 10, with additional surcharges of $800-1600 for French Polynesia services
Hapag-Lloyd: Increasing rates by $500/TEU on Far East-East Coast South America routes effective September 1, with $400/TEU peak season surcharge on Asia-West Africa trades
CMA CGM: Adjusting rates by $150-200/TEU on Far East-East Africa routes and $250/TEU for West/Central/South Africa services
These adjustments reflect the typical 150-1600 USD rate increases across major Asia-origin routes to Middle East, African, and South American markets.
According to 2025 global port rankings, Chinese ports maintain dominant positions, holding seven of the top ten spots globally. This infrastructure advantage provides critical support for export strategies.
Maintaining its top position for 15 consecutive years, Shanghai handled 49 million TEU in 2024 with total cargo throughput exceeding 830 million tons.
Key Advantages:
Network coverage to 200+ countries and territories with over 3,000 weekly sailings
125 operational berths including 40% deep-water capable
Yangshan Deep-Water Port features world-class automated terminal operations
Ideal For: High-value commodities, time-sensitive shipments
With 36.5 million TEU handled in 2024 (ranked #3 globally), it maintains world leadership in total cargo throughput at 1.2+ billion tons.
Key Advantages:
Advanced digitalization incorporating blockchain and AI technologies
Launching "China-Europe Arctic Express" service in September 2025, reducing UK transit time to 18 days
600+ operational berths including 200 deep-water berths
Ideal For: European-bound cargo, renewable energy equipment, heavy machinery
The upcoming "China-Europe Arctic Express" from Ningbo-Zhoushan offers new solutions for peak season challenges.
Transit Advantage: 18-day voyage time, 7 days faster than China-Europe rail and 22 days faster than traditional Suez routes
Sustainability: 50% reduction in carbon emissions aligned with ESG objectives
Operational Reliability: Priority berthing and rapid turnaround ensuring European market connectivity
High-value goods: Lithium batteries, electric vehicles, precision instruments
Seasonal merchandise: Holiday goods, seasonal apparel
Specialized cargo: Refrigerated commodities (seafood, cold chain), utilizing specialized ice-class vessels with temperature control systems
Important Note: This seasonal route operates mid-June through October, with maiden voyage capacity already fully booked. Recommend securing space on subsequent sailings through freight forwarders.
LCL (Less than Container Load) solutions provide critical flexibility during capacity constraints.
Key advantages during peak season:
Improved utilization: Consolidating smaller shipments optimizes space usage
Operational flexibility: Accommodates multiple small shipments without FCL constraints
Cost efficiency: More economical for small and medium enterprises
Current market conditions favor these routes:
Asia-Middle East: Despite PSS charges, relative capacity availability remains better than other trades
China-Southeast Asia: High frequency, short transit times, numerous consolidation options
China-Africa alternative ports: Consider Nouakchott, Dakar, and other secondary ports with less competition
Implement flexible shipping windows, moving main volumes 10-15 days ahead of requirements, followed by air or express ocean services for remaining cargo.
Utilize multiple port options across Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, and Bohai Rim regions to create diversified routing options.
Develop strategic partnerships with core carriers for annual space allocation, while maintaining secondary vendor options for capacity flexibility.
Recommended technological enhancements:
Implement Transportation Management Systems for automated booking
Utilize AI-powered forecasting for demand prediction and risk management
Deploy real-time visibility platforms for end-to-end supply chain monitoring
Facing peak season challenges requires systematic approaches combining port optimization, innovative routing, and operational adaptability. Through digital transformation and diversified logistics solutions, companies can build resilient supply chains capable of weathering seasonal fluctuations and market uncertainties.
In current market conditions, emphasis should be placed on supply chain resilience and logistics solution diversification to maintain competitive advantage in international trade.
Freight forwarder