China’s shipment of garments and accessories increased **.* per cent year on year to $**.*** billion from $**.*** billion, driven by steady demand from key markets such as the US and EU, where retailers have begun restocking after cautious inventory management in ****. Meanwhile, exports of textile products, including yarns, fabrics and related articles, rose at a faster pace of **.* per cent to $**.*** billion from $**.*** billion, supported by stronger downstream manufacturing activity across Asia and improved order flows from emerging sourcing hubs.

In February **** alone, exports of textile yarns, fabrics and related articles were valued at $**.*** billion, while garment shipments stood at $**.*** billion, taking the combined monthly total to $**.*** billion. The relatively balanced contribution of textiles and apparel highlights a synchronised recovery across the value chain, from raw materials to finished goods.

The US apparel import market—already compressed to $**.** billion in **** from its $*** billion peak in ****—is now absorbing the most severe logistics and energy shock since the pandemic. Sixteen days into the US-Israel-Iran war, the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to commercial shipping, the Red Sea corridor has been shut down by resumed Houthi attacks, and Brent crude has breached $*** per barrel for the first time since ****. For an industry where more than ** per cent of clothing sold in America is imported, and where tariffs had already driven China’s share from **.* per cent to **.* per cent in four years, this war-driven supply chain rupture arrives at the worst possible moment.

Container freight rates from Asia have surged **–** per cent since February **, emergency war surcharges of $***–$*,*** per container are being levied by all major carriers, and polyester fibre costs are climbing **–** per cent as the petrochemical chain absorbs crude price shocks.

The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) further increased 2.30 to $2,172 per FEU (Forty-foot Equivalent Unit) for the week ending March 19, consecutive increased in the third week. The index stood at $2,123 per FEU in the week ending March 12. The index increased mainly due to higher rates on the Transpacific trade route.

Rates on Asia–Europe trades have remained relatively stable despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Spot rates on Shanghai–Rotterdam inched up 1 per cent to $2,478 per 40ft container, while Shanghai–Genoa stayed unchanged at $3,108 per 40ft container.

Drewry’s WCI rose 2.3 per cent to $2,172/FEU, marking a third weekly gain, driven by higher Transpacific rates.
Asia–Europe routes remained stable, while Shanghai–US rates increased up to 7 per cent.
Middle East tensions and rising fuel costs led carriers to impose surcharges, supporting freight rates, with further increases expected in the coming weeks.

As per Drewry’s Container Capacity Insight, only 3 blank sailings have been announced on the Asia–Europe trade route for next week, indicating steady capacity. At the same time, carriers such as MSC and CMA CGM have announced higher FAK rates, ranging from $6,200 to $6,400, effective 22 March. With carriers continuing to push rates. Drewry expects spot rates to rise further in the coming weeks.

On the Transpacific route, rates from Shanghai to New York jumped 7 per cent to $3,310 per 40ft container, while those from Shanghai to Los Angeles increased 4 per cent to $2,591 per 40ft container.

Rates from New York to Rotterdam increased 2 per cent to $961 per FEU, while Rotterdam-New York eased 2 per cent to $1,504 per FEU. Rotterdam-Shanghai rose 2 per cent to $539 per FEU, and Los Angeles–Shanghai remained increased 1 per cent to $727 per 40-foot container.

According to Drewry’s Container Capacity Insight, 6 blank sailings have been announced for the next week on the Transpacific East and West Coast trade routes. As the situation in the Middle East continues to create uncertainty across global supply chains, supporting higher rates in the short term, Drewry expects spot rates on this trade to increase in the coming weeks.

US and Israeli strikes on Iran have disrupted tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—a key route for nearly 20 per cent of global oil—pushing crude prices higher and raising supply concerns. Rising costs have led carriers to introduce emergency fuel surcharges. CMA CGM raised its surcharge from $150 per TEU to $265 per TEU effective 16 March. While OOCL, COSCO and Maersk have also implemented temporary EBS (Emergency Bunker Surcharges). These measures are expected to drive freight costs up which would in turn increase freight rates.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)