News / Asia-Med container shipping rates in the doldrums as too much capacity pours in

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The collapse of Asia-North Europe spot freight rates since January to just above the $500 per teu watershed dominates the news, but the Asia-Mediterranean tradelane is in almost as much trouble, aggravated by a 13% hike in slot capacity.

According to Drewry’s Container Insight Weekly, a big jump in capacity on the route has been triggered by the formation of the 2M and Ocean Three vessel sharing agreements (VSAs), in which the three main carriers on the trade – Maersk, MSC ...