Evidence shows that global ocean freight rates are normalizing as weakening demand puts less pressure on constrained global supply.

Meanwhile, rates on the Transpacific route have fallen significantly during the second quarter. On the headhaul route, rates stood at US$7,152 in july, less than half the april price after a 54.3% drop (four times their pre-pandemic level).

Yesenia Salas, director of Technical Affairs of the Cámara de Comercio e Industria de El Salvador (CAMARASAL), said in a radio interview that they have identified that there are slight decreases in the prices of maritime containers coming from China.

The president of the Transportation and Logistics Committee of CAMARASAL, Iris Reyes, said that the cost of freight has dropped by approximately 40%, reaching a price of US$15,000 to US$12,000 per container from China.

Also, the representatives of the union said that El Salvador could receive more containers of products if the infrastructure of the port of Acajutla, Sonsonate, had the capacity to receive large ships.

Iris Reyes said that the guild recommends that companies take care of their suppliers and stock according to their financing.

What is a Headhaul?

Dedicated trucks and full truckload carriers not only charge by distance or day of the week. They also charge depending on whether the load is headhaul or backhaul.