July 29, 2022

New Direct Container Service Between Scotland and China Allows for Easier Scotch Exports

With the supply chain crisis beginning to ease, recent developments have taken place in how scotch is shipped across the world, giving whisky investors a reason to celebrate.

Written by

Sam

Due to the increased pressures being placed on global supply chains, demand for Scottish exports such as scotch whisky has risen to such an extent, that the first direct container shipping service between Scotland and China has been launched.

This service would mean that whisky can be shipped directly between the distilleries in Scotland and consumers in China. The partnership between KC Liner Agencies, DKT Allseas, and China Xpress has allowed the service to vastly reduce the time and costs involved in the transportation of goods. KC Liner Agencies in particular is a noted specialist in the international transportation of Scotland’s national beverage, working closely with many of the largest global drinks companies. 

Previously the journey for scotch whisky to be imported to China would take approximately 66 days, but this new service will halve it to 30 days. This is because the route skips the busy port of Rotterdam, which has been strained by the current supply chain crisis rippling across the world. Instead the new route will run from Greenock, near Glasgow to the Chinese cities of Ningbo and Shenzhen. 

The demand for scotch whisky in Asia has grown by 35% since 2013, with China, Taiwan and Singapore being the fastest growing regions. In 2019, China overtook the US and EU as the principal export market for Scottish goods. It is no surprise that this direct container service would be set up due to this enormous demand. 

Savvy scotch whisky investors should look towards casks that will appreciate due to the increased ease at which Chinese consumers can obtain their favourite drams. China is very much a maturing market, with 60% of sales being single malts. Meanwhile the taste for blended whiskies skews heavily towards premium brands such as Johnnie Walker, Chivas Regal and Macallan due to their luxury appeal. 

Overall the ease of this service means that scotch whisky becomes more accessible to a greater number of consumers in China, a country that greatly values scotch already. Whisky investment runs off a simple principle, the greater the demand, the greater the returns. Therefore investors in cask whisky have reason to celebrate these exciting new developments. 

What our clients say

  1. You must be 18 years or older to purchase alcohol-based products from Hackstons.
  2. All information about asset purchases on our website and social media sites is for information purposes only. No information provided should be taken as financial advice on asset investment. If you wish to obtain financial advice on asset investments, you should seek the assistance of a qualified financial advisor before carrying out your purchase through Hackstons.
  3. Hackstons employees are not tax advisors and cannot advise on the tax benefits of asset investment. If you require tax advice on asset investment, you should seek the advice of a qualified tax advisor.
  4. Information provided by Hackstons is of a purely general nature, and it does not always relate to trades, sales or returns carried out or achieved by Hackstons.
  5. As with all investments, an asset's value can go up and down. Please note that any numerical figures or investment performance results mentioned on our websites and content are based on historical data and are provided for informational purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and there are no guarantees of any specific investment returns. All investments involve risks, and individuals should carefully consider their own financial circumstances and seek professional advice before making any investment decisions.
  6. If you are purchasing a whisky cask, you must consider the cost of maintaining your cask. You will be liable for storage and insurance. The price will be dependent on how comprehensive the policy is and premiums may increase on an annual basis. It is advisable to perform regular health checks on your cask every three years. Cask services are chargeable to the client, including regauging, samples, and photographs.
  7. All casks are stored within HMRC-bonded warehouses and are subject to strict rules and regulations set by HMRC. Hackstons may occasionally require certain information from you to comply with HMRC requirements.
  8. Where Hackstons mentions 'press' or 'featured in' publications, it should be noted that these articles are sponsored advertorial content and not editorial pieces.
  9. Hackstons is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and we do not offer any specific financial advice on the use of assets as investments.

ACCESS YOUR HIGH-END
INVESTMENT GUIDE