News / Box lines firmly in control – charging 'what they like' on almost every trade

© Jason Stitt

Container freight indices are on the rise again, but even at their highly elevated levels they mask the true cost of shipping.

For example, the Freightos Baltic Index (FBX) North European component jumped by 6% this week, to $7,791 per 40 ft – a huge 450% increase on the rate a year ago, but still unlikely to turn the heads of carriers that can easily fill ships with containers paying double that rate.

A leading UK-based NVOCC has shown The Loadstar its ...