Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - Electronics Consuming Asian Shipping Capacity

NEW YORK -- The electronics industry appears to be gearing up for heavy air freight shipments this month, a major freight forwarder said today.

The activity comes, Trans World Logistics said, during a time when most of the Asia-Pacific region has returned to off-peak market conditions.

Due to pending actions taken by the U.S. government against the Chinese textiles industry, importers are rushing to get goods into the U.S., causing a surge in demand for air freight in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea, Trans World said. All are also electronics manufacturing hot spots.

Capacity at most major Asian hubs is stable at present, the carrier said. However, demand in Sinagpore, Hong Kong and Manila is expected to rise during the month as electronics manufacturers attempt to meet quarterly sales targets.

The depreciation of the dollar against Korea's currency could inflate rates by 5% to 10% in the near-term.Trans World said.