News / Carriers call a truce and Asia-North Europe ocean freight rate war is over – or is it?

© Eq Roy

There is evidence that Asia-Europe carriers have called off their market share-driven ocean freight rate war “for now”, said maritime consultant Drewry today.

And this has been mirrored on the transpacific tradelane where spot rates have “stabilised” in recent weeks, it added.

One UK-based carrier told The Loadstar last week the 14% week-on-week decline in spot rates on Asia-Europe was “merely a blip” –  headhaul ships were running full and there was no longer any need to cut rates.

However, this was contradicted by spot market forwarders who said ...