Hamburg / Düsseldorf. The media is reporting on the current attacks in the Red Sea, and also that most speakers are avoiding the danger zone and routing their container ships to or from China via the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. This entails significantly longer transit times and, especially when importing from China, drastically increased prices. We asked Dirk Bukowski, Director Sales, how the customers of the German M&M air sea cargo GmbH deal with this.
“We keep our customers constantly informed about the latest developments, and of course this is a point of discussion with customers,” is the answer. “Since all shipping companies are doing the same, there is nothing we can change. The other thing is the longer delivery times. We notice that the ordering rhythms are shifting: those who would otherwise have ordered at the end of February are already ordering today.” However, the offer of rail freight to and from China provides concrete help with the long delivery time until the container can be unloaded.
We speak to Michael Spitzlei, Düsseldorf. “There have already been inquiries and initial bookings,” says the Rail Manager. In terms of time, rail transport definitely offers a considerable advantage: “For sea freight from China to Germany, you usually expect six weeks; now, with the new detour, the container is on the road for eight weeks. Rail freight, for example Hamburg – Shanghai, takes 28 to 30 days. So rail freight is normally an average of ten days faster.”
We’re still wondering what the prices are like. “Rail is still more expensive than sea, even with the new sea freight rates. The Chinese railway quickly followed suit. Switching to rail pays off for the customer, who is interested in the shortened delivery time.”
We are available to answer all your questions at any time. In addition to your well-known local M&M contacts, our specialist departments can be reached as follows:
- Seefracht Hamburg: Telefon +49 40 236111 61, E-Mail: ham.oceanrequests@mumnet.com
- Team Rail: Telefon +49 211 437 186 12, E-Mail: sales.rail-germany@mumnet.com