The persistent rate elevation can be attributed to an early surge in pre-Lunar New Year demand, compounded by the ongoing Red Sea disruptions, which have necessitated extensive route diversions. Additionally, adverse weather conditions in China and Japan generate localized congestion at critical container hub infrastructures.
Meanwhile, Chinese demand provided additional support to prices. Data released this week revealed that China, the world’s largest crude importer, experienced annual growth in crude imports for November—the first such increase in seven months.