Rising diesel prices lift freight rates

In April, transporters passed on higher diesel prices by raising freight rates on several routes.

However, fleet utilisation was flat on-month. While there was higher utilisation for agri-products, cement, mining (largely coal and iron ore), and parcel/loose goods, this was offset by slightly lower utilisation for auto-carriers, market load, and steel.

Utilisation remained unchanged for fast moving consumer goods (FMCG)/ fast moving consumer durables (FMCD), containers, textiles, and petroleum tankers.