News / Carriers 'cherry-picking' customers as rates continue to head north

© Keatanan Viya

Container spot rates from Asia may have eased slightly from their record highs, post-Chinese new year, but rates for backhaul and secondary trades continue to head north.

According to today’s Freightos Baltic Index (FBX), the spot rate for North Europe is $7,684 per 40ft, down from more than $8,000 at the beginning of the month.

However, the FBX reading for Mediterranean ports, of $7,990 per 40ft, has held steady, while the spot rate from Asia to the US west coast gave up ...