HANJIN
customers that have suffered delays due to the container line's bankruptcy are
now looking for alternative shipment modes into European markets to ensure key
products are in stores ahead of the holiday season, according to leading
forwarders.
Forwarders
say the preferred option for shippers trying to expedite shipments to Europe
while also limiting transport costs is rail. However, air freight solutions are
expected to become more prominent the longer cargo is stranded in Hanjin's
network as the countdown to the Christmas sales season begins, the UK's
Lloyd's Loading List reported.
"In
view of the current situation, we are seeing higher demand for rail services to
Europe. We are also receiving more enquiries in Europe for rail deliveries to
Asia, especially Korea," said a DHL statement.
DB
Schenker also reports growing demand for accelerated shipments resulting from
Hanjin's bankruptcy and the subsequent supply chain chaos that has followed.
"Some
leading electronics customers face serious challenges to get time-critical
supplies to Europe," a DB Schenker spokesman said. "From the
corporate side, we have counted three major customers asking for rail as a
substitution for ocean to avoid air shipments."
Procurement
research analyst at market research firm IBISWorld, Ashley Cruz, said the inability
to retrieve cargo from stranded Hanjin ships had sent retailers and forwarders
into a spin.
In
the aftermath of Hanjin's receivership filing, which left as many as 500,000
containers of cargo stranded offshore, she said freight forwarders were
scrambling to reorganise and redirect the rail, air freight and trucking
services that were supposed to follow the docking and unloading of Hanjin
ships.
"Forwarders
have also been rushing to arrange alternative transport routes for cargo that
was due to be carried on Hanjin ships," she said.
"Most
freight forwarders are seeking other deep sea cargo carriers, in spite of the
substantial spot price spikes that have occurred during the past few weeks and
could potentially last for months.
"However,
some forwarders are also looking to international air cargo services as a substitute
for ocean shipping in order to avoid further delays," said Ms Cruz.
A
number of airlines have already reported an upsurge in demand out of Asia
post-Hanjin and many others have capacity on standby.
Korean
Air, a shareholder in Hanjin Shipping, has also reportedly laid on extra
freighters to help out Korean exporters including Samsung. However, a spokesman
for the carrier refused to confirm the reports.
But
although there will be some switch to alternative modes, Swiss forwarder
Panalpina believes it will be minimal, at least in terms of volumes.
Source : Unknown.
