News / If July GRIs fail, Asia-Europe shippers must expect more blanked sailings

© Khunaspix Dreamstime.

If ocean carriers plying the troubled Asia-Europe trade cannot get general rate increases (GRIs) to hold now, when utilisation levels are reported to be good, then when demand weakens after the peak season and container lines are forced to aggressively compete to fill ships, they will run the risk of another rate war.

Unless the early July GRIs stick, the losses incurred by the majority of container lines in the first six months will be added to, and the lines will ...