TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan freight forwarders reported stronger shipping demand in May as AI server cargo, early inventory planning, and higher long-haul freight rates lifted the container market.
Major ocean carriers have shifted fuel surcharge adjustments from quarterly to monthly as companies move shipments forward in response to energy price swings and geopolitical risk, per CNA.
May was Dimerco Express Group’s strongest month since September 2022, with preliminary consolidated sales of NT$3.24 billion (US$102.27 million), a 39% annual increase. Its January-May revenue came to NT$13.13 billion, 10.7% higher than the same period last year, according to the report.
T3EX Global Holdings also had a stronger May, with revenue reaching NT$2.099 billion, 11.13% above April and 10.7% higher than a year earlier. The company’s five-month total was weaker, slipping 3.73% year-on-year to NT$8.835 billion.
T3EX said high-tech supply chain cargo stayed steady and cross-border logistics demand improved from April. Shipments tied to AI servers, e-commerce, some industrial raw materials, and China demand helped lift May business, per the report.
Freight rates rose as companies prepared inventory before the busy season and long-haul routes drew more cargo. The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index rose in May, while Europe and US route prices increased from the start of the month and stayed elevated on some major routes in June.
Air freight was also tight, CNA reported. Dimerco said some high-tech firms resumed direct China-US air cargo services, cutting demand for transshipment through hubs including Taiwan, Thailand, and Singapore, while semiconductor and AI server shipments kept Taiwan-US and regional cargo activity humming.
