Container shipping freight rates are continuing on a downwards trend on the Asia to North Europe trade lanes, retreating 8.1 per cent to US$1,302 per TEU at the end of last week, according to the Shanghai Containerised Freight Index.
So far this year freight rates have risen for nine weeks but declined for 19 weeks. However, average rates for 2014 are higher than last year's at $1,277 per TEU versus $1,090 in 2013.
The comprehensive index fell 2.6 per cent to $1,100 per TEU over this period. The rates to ports in the Mediterranean fell by 7.8 per cent but transport charges were stable on routes to US west and east coasts, said Reuters.
So far this year freight rates have risen for nine weeks but declined for 19 weeks. However, average rates for 2014 are higher than last year's at $1,277 per TEU versus $1,090 in 2013.
The comprehensive index fell 2.6 per cent to $1,100 per TEU over this period. The rates to ports in the Mediterranean fell by 7.8 per cent but transport charges were stable on routes to US west and east coasts, said Reuters.