The composite Ningbo Containerized Freight Index (NCFI) surged 16.1 per cent week-on-week to 1,147.5 points in Week 10, largely propelled by rising insurance premiums amid heightened Red Sea risk.
Of the 21 trade lanes monitored, 10 recorded upward freight movements, nine saw declines, and two held steady.
Along the Maritime Silk Road, nine major ports posted gains in their indices, while seven experienced drops.
Freight flows to Europe and the Mediterranean presented a mixed picture.
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Early March rate increases by several carriers were offset by surplus vessel capacity, leading to NCFI contractions: Europe – down 3.1 per cent to 956 points, Eastern Mediterranean – down 8.1 per cent to 1,115.7 points, and Western Mediterranean – down 0.6 per cent to 1,334 points.
On North America routes, a slow demand recovery coupled with returning capacity continued to pressure spot rates. NCFIs decreased by 3.9 per cent to 908.4 points on the East Coast and 6.2 per cent to 1,081.6 points on the West Coast.
Meanwhile, persistent Red Sea security concerns sent the NCFI soaring, more than doubling 104.2 per cent to 3,230.4 points, highlighting ongoing volatility in risk-sensitive lanes.
