PRESS ROOM

With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes that something like the old normal in terms of freight rate fluctuation has returned to Drewry's World Container Index throughout November, the maritime consultancy reports.

Year on year rates are shockingly extreme, with the composite index rates having fallen 43 per cent, while week-to-week prices only fell two per cent to USD1,467/feu.

The most extreme annual change was the Shanghai-Genoa rules with its 57 per cent drop with only one per cent drop week to week at USD1,449/feu.

Big differences appeared between headhaul and backhaul on the Shanghai-Rotterdam run. Westbound rates fell 45 per cent year on year to USD1,227/feu while eastbound rates fell 45 per cent to USDS466/feu.

The only annual increase spotted in November's tally was the four per cent rate hike from Shanghai to Los Angeles to USD2,208/feu. Backhaul, LA to Shanghai was down 35 per cent to USD771/feu.

With the Panama Canal suffering low water from drought the all-water route suffered a 48 per cent annual drop to USD2,621/feu.

For more information about the U-Freight Group's global ocean freight forwarding and logistics services, please contact your local U-Freight office.