News / European exporters still up against it, but equipment shortages are easing

© Binkski

Blank sailings, escalating freight rates and a shortage of equipment continue to hobble European exporters.

Shippers to Asia and the US are facing lengthy delays and uncertainty for container bookings as the knock-on effect of short-notice carrier blanking programmes plays havoc with supply chains.

As a consequence, rates have soared, particularly to Asia where they have doubled in the past year, and in some instances are being increased after containers have been delivered to the export quay.

And shippers are still struggling with ...