Air and ocean volume growth on trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe trades stalled in June and optimism ahead of the peak season is starting to subside, according to the latest APAC Forwarding Index survey results.

However, the survey also revealed robust volume growth and forward sentiment on intra-Asia trades. 

49.3 per cent of survey respondents indicated ‘higher’ month-to-month intra-Asia volumes in June, while 44 per cent reported the ‘same’ month-to-month volumes.

“Gains in rail were strong with 78 per cent of respondents reporting ‘higher’ volumes as China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative gains traction,” said Cathy Roberson.

Roberson conducted the survey with fellow consultant Mike King as the pair continue to collate data ahead of the launch of their new APAC Forwarding Index in late summer [to take the July survey please click here].

The latest APAC Forwarding Index survey also revealed buoyant three-month intra-Asia demand expectations with 43 per cent of respondents anticipating ‘higher’ volumes across modes in September than experienced in June. 

“Rail sentiment was strongest with 72 per cent of respondents expecting ‘higher’ volumes,” said Roberson. “55 per cent of respondents predict ‘higher’ volumes for ocean in September compared to June and 45 per cent of respondents expect ‘higher’ intra-Asia volumes by air.

“Economic indicators across most of the Asia Pacific region remain very positive and there is no sign of slowing intra-regional trade by sea and air.

“But international road and rail services in Asia are relatively undeveloped, certainly compared to Europe, so I think that’s where we can expect significant and dynamic long-term freight expansion.”

In the June APAC Forwarding Index survey only 35.7 per cent of respondents predicted ‘higher’ volumes on ocean freight APAC lanes in September compared to June, while 31.2 per cent anticipated ‘lower’ volumes.

For example, on the APAC–North America head-haul trade, 38 per cent of respondents predicted ‘higher’ volumes in September compared to June and 42 per cent ‘lower’. 

Meanwhile, 58 per cent of respondents anticipate the ‘same’ volumes on the backhaul North America–APAC trade.

The fall in optimism – at least compared to previous surveys - chimes with recent ocean spot freight rate declines on the major trades. However, the latest survey results for freight volumes on APAC ocean freight trades in June compared to May were positive. Some 50.8 per cent of respondents indicated ‘higher’ volumes in June versus May. This compared to 47.5 per cent noting ‘higher’ in May when compared to April.

“Could peak season patterns be shifting or is this the result of global economic uncertainties?” said Roberson. 

“There certainly seems to be uncertainty about how strong and long this year’s ocean peak season will be and the readings on trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe have diverged.

“Spot freight rates have been volatile and bearish on head-haul trades in recent weeks and the economic signs on exports out of Asia have been mixed. It will be very interesting to see how ocean volumes fare in July and August and how this plays out in liner markets.”

The 3-month air freight outlook has also taken a bearish turn. Only 22.6 per cent of survey respondents predicted ‘higher’ volumes across APAC air freight trade lanes in September compared to June, while 38 per cent forecast ‘lower’ volumes.

“In the next three months, we are hopeful of some growth in air cargo demand but we expect rates to be flat,” noted one respondent. “We’re not expecting a major change until Q4.”

European lanes were the most optimistic, with 34 per cent of respondents on the Europe–APAC lane expecting ‘higher’ volumes in September compared to June, while 47 per cent expect APAC–Europe lane volumes to be the ‘same’ and 19 per cent expect them to be ‘higher’.

Optimism on North American lanes declined significantly with only 22 per cent of survey respondents forecasting ‘higher’ volumes for the North America–APAC lane over the period, and 44 per cent predicting ‘lower’. 

On the APAC–North America lane, 22 per cent predicted ‘higher’ volumes and 41 per cent ‘lower’.

Month-to-month air freight forwarding volumes also saw slower growth last month. 41.4 per cent of respondents recorded ‘higher’ air freight volumes on APAC air freight lanes in June compared to May, while 35.2 per cent noted ‘lower’ volumes.

“After two months of 50 per cent plus noting ‘higher’ month-to-month volumes optimism is dimming -  41.4 per cent is the lowest response we have recorded noting ‘higher’ APAC air freight volumes in our first four months of surveys,” said Roberson.

“Meanwhile, those respondents noting ‘lower’ air freight volumes - 35.2 per cent, month-to-month - was a sharp increase from the five per cent noting the ‘same’ from April to May.”