The WCI (World Container Index) for May 3^rd on the Shanghai to Rotterdam freight lane showed that westbound container spot rates increase by a staggering 19%. This dramatic increase equates to an increase of $629 per forty foot container and is a result of GRI’s (general rate increases) successfully implemented by major carriers on May 1^st.

The World Container Index is compiled and assessed by Drewry reports and measures container freight rates on major East-West trade routes.

To…

The GRI (General Rate Increase) by major carriers on the Asia-Europe trade lanes came into effect on April 1^st, which resulted in a pot rate increase of 28% by April 5^th. In monetary terms this equated to a spot rate increase of $844 per FEU (forty foot equivalent unit) on the Shanghai to Rotterdam freight lane.

This 28% hike follows on form March 1^st, when the World Container Index (WCI) reported that Shanghai to Rotterdam freight rates increased by a staggering 114%.

The spot rate on March 29 per FEU was $2,654 and rose to $3,408 per FEU on April 5^th 2012.…

The Shanghai to Rotterdam freight lane lane spot rates has fallen for the third consecutive week. Prices fell by 1.4% in the third week to $2,648 per FEU (forty foot equivilant). This is welcome news despite the huge general rate increase which was implemented by all the major carriers on March 1^st. However the price per 40 foot equivilant remains stubbornly high at $2,648 and 28% higher than the $2,060 price level for the same week last year.

To read more about Asia-Europe spot rates, please click here.

Asia-Europe spot rates have increased for the fifth week in a row. In fact, Shanghai to Rotterdam spot rates increased by 4.9% in one week. The Year of the Dragon will commences on January 23^rd and European importers are scurrying to secure container vessel capacity pre the factory shut down for the Asian new year. This demand has led to a dramatic increase in spot rates. In fact, in the first week of January spot rates on the Asia-Europe route surged by 30.3%.

However, Drewry Maritime, the London based shipping consultants, warned that “Once the pre-Chinese New Year rush recedes later this month…