News / Container shipping rate contract negotiations hit deadlock, due to low pricing

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Negotiations between shippers and container lines over annual contracts on the Asia-North Europe trade have hit a “deadlock”, according to Drewry.

None of the parties involved appear in any hurry to conclude their annual deals, said the maritime analyst today.

“Shippers believe the carriers’ stance will weaken further, while the latter, besieged in a rotten market, are praying that there might be some form of end-of-year cargo rush to prop up rates.”

A succession of rate collapses, as demand remained weak following a ...