Alphaliner says carriers will face stiff resistance to biggest price hikes in years
The largest ever rate increases announced by main carriers on the Asia-Europe trade – their latest attempt to recover from losses sustained in 2011 – will be a test of the shipping lines’ resolve to restore rates to more sustainable levels.
The announced increases of between US$300 and $800 per teu are the highest quantum proposed by carriers since the abolition of conferences on the European trades in 2008, according to analysts at Alphaliner. “If successful, they would bring spot rates from the Far East to Europe up from $700 per teu to around $1,000-1,500 per teu,” said the analysts.
“Although rates have rebounded since late December from $500 per teu to $700 per teu currently, they remain below break-even with the average bunker surcharge alone standing at $740 per teu.” Read more here.
