[041011.EN.LOG] Danske Bank's European Freight Forwarding Index Indicates More Gloom Ahead

EUROPEAN forwarders suffered weak volumes again last month, with the air freight having the worst of it, according to Danske Bank's European Freight Forwarding Index.
 
The survey of forwarders showed that while the index rose from 43 in July to 46 in August, there was still an indication of a contraction in the volume of goods handled by forwarders compared with two months ago, reported London's International Freighting Weekly. Overall expectations remain unchanged, with those polled expecting a small increase in trade in coming months.
 
The index measures variations in current volumes against those handled two months before, as well as expectations for the next two months. It uses a scale between 0 and 100, with values above 50 indicating an expansion in demand.
 
The August survey showed a rebound in demand for the road and sea freight markets, with the index value for haulage up to 46 from 40 in July, but it remained below the 50 level, lower than two months ago. For ocean freight, the index is unchanged compared with June.
 
European air forwarders were more gloomy with the index, at 33, hitting an all-time low in August.

Source : HKSG, 16.09.11.