News / Carriers slow rate slide, but some are 'grabbing anything at any price'

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Just ahead of the all-important annual contract rate negotiations there is evidence today that Asia-Europe carriers may have halted the recent slide in spot rates.

The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) this week recorded a 5% increase in container spot rates from Asia to North Europe, to $729 per teu, while there was a slight nudge upwards for rates to Mediterranean ports, to $598 per teu.

There are conflicting reports regarding demand prospects for December and January, with one carrier source telling ...