Shipping Container rates spark global trade chatter at $10,000
31 May 2024
2 Min Read
CW Team
Companies moving goods from Asia could face costs of up to $10,000 for an urgent full-size shipping container over the next month, which is roughly double the current spot rates.
It was reported by Marseille, France-based CMA CGM SA, the world?s No. 3 carrier, that a rate of $7,000 has been set for a 40-foot container for the second half of June for goods being shipped to northern Europe from Asia. This marks an increase from the current charge of approximately $5,000. Rates for the first half of June vary from $6,000 to $6,500, with premium service being offered at $7,500 to $10,000.
The container shipping industry finds itself in a scramble to meet demand that has been increasing in the US and Europe, largely due to capacity being stretched thin by more than five months of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea. Additionally, another factor contributing to the rise in prices is the increased ordering by importers, driven by concerns about potential disruptions such as port congestion, labor strikes, and higher tariffs on Chinese-made goods.
Trine Nielsen, senior director and head of ocean EMEA at Flexport Inc., a logistics technology company based in San Francisco, remarked that companies are altering their stock strategies and adjusting to longer lead times, resulting in shifts in normal shipping patterns. Some companies are even resorting to double-booking or increasing booking numbers to secure space, further complicating the situation.
According to Freightos data compiled by Bloomberg, in September 2021, spot rates for 40-foot containers to the US West Coast from China skyrocketed to over $20,000 due to a surge in demand related to the pandemic. Four months later, the rate for shipments from China to Europe reached nearly $15,000.
The CEO of Hamburg, Germany-based Hapag-Lloyd AG, the world?s No. 5 container carrier, attributed the recent spike in rates to the capacity issues in the Red Sea and the robust demand, which he believes supports the argument for an early peak season and inventory restocking.
While the duration of the surge in short-term container rates remains uncertain, Rolf Habben Jansen, the CEO, mentioned in an interview on Bloomberg Television on Wednesday that it could persist for another couple of months if the situation in the Red Sea does not improve.
Companies moving goods from Asia could face costs of up to $10,000 for an urgent full-size shipping container over the next month, which is roughly double the current spot rates.
It was reported by Marseille, France-based CMA CGM SA, the world?s No. 3 carrier, that a rate of $7,000 has been set for a 40-foot container for the second half of June for goods being shipped to northern Europe from Asia. This marks an increase from the current charge of approximately $5,000. Rates for the first half of June vary from $6,000 to $6,500, with premium service being offered at $7,500 to $10,000.
The container shipping industry finds itself in a scramble to meet demand that has been increasing in the US and Europe, largely due to capacity being stretched thin by more than five months of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea. Additionally, another factor contributing to the rise in prices is the increased ordering by importers, driven by concerns about potential disruptions such as port congestion, labor strikes, and higher tariffs on Chinese-made goods.
Trine Nielsen, senior director and head of ocean EMEA at Flexport Inc., a logistics technology company based in San Francisco, remarked that companies are altering their stock strategies and adjusting to longer lead times, resulting in shifts in normal shipping patterns. Some companies are even resorting to double-booking or increasing booking numbers to secure space, further complicating the situation.
According to Freightos data compiled by Bloomberg, in September 2021, spot rates for 40-foot containers to the US West Coast from China skyrocketed to over $20,000 due to a surge in demand related to the pandemic. Four months later, the rate for shipments from China to Europe reached nearly $15,000.
The CEO of Hamburg, Germany-based Hapag-Lloyd AG, the world?s No. 5 container carrier, attributed the recent spike in rates to the capacity issues in the Red Sea and the robust demand, which he believes supports the argument for an early peak season and inventory restocking.
While the duration of the surge in short-term container rates remains uncertain, Rolf Habben Jansen, the CEO, mentioned in an interview on Bloomberg Television on Wednesday that it could persist for another couple of months if the situation in the Red Sea does not improve.
Next Story
3i Infotech Reports Rs 7.25 Bn Revenue for FY25
3i Infotech, a leading provider of digital transformation, technology services and technology solutions, announced its consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and full year FY25, ended on March 31st, 2025. The company maintained its growth momentum, displaying consistent progress for the 3rd consecutive quarter.In Q4 FY25, 3i Infotech reported revenue of Rs 1.87 billion, reflecting steady performance compared to Rs 1.81 billion in Q3 FY25 and Rs 1.97 billion in Q4 FY24. The company delivered strong profitability improvements, with gross margin growing by 14.8 per cent Q-o-Q and 1..
Next Story
Emerald Finance Joins Baya PTE to Boost SME Bill Discounting
Emerald Finance is a dynamic company offering a spectrum of financial products and services including its flagship Earned Wage Access (EWA) in India, has entered into a strategic partnership with Singapore-based Baya PTE through its Indian subsidiary. This collaboration aims to strengthen bill discounting services for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), enabling faster access to working capital and improved cash flow management.The initiative is designed to support SMEs that supply to large corporates such as JSW Steel, Delhivery, and PVR INOX, among others. By facilitating timely invoice dis..
Next Story
BLS E-Services Crosses Rs 5 Bn Revenue Mark in FY25
BLS E-Services, a technology-enabled digital service provider, announced its audited consolidated financial results for the quarter and full year period ended 31 March 2025.Speaking about the performance and recent updates, Shikhar Aggarwal, Chairman, BLS E- Services said, 鈥淲e are delighted to report a remarkable performance in FY25, as we achieved several milestones during the fiscal year. FY25 marked our highest-ever financial performance, as we surpassed Rs 5 billion milestone in Total Income during the year, which was reported at Rs 5.45 billion, a notable YoY growth of 76 per cent. The ..