News / Festive boost for container lines as tighter supply pushes up spot rates

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Container spot rates from Asia to Europe and the US soared in the final weeks of 2019, boosted by tightening supply and low-sulphur surcharges.

According to the latest Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI), rates to North Europe have jumped 19% since 20 December, and to US west coast ports they have risen 22%.

Space on ships bound for Europe is at a premium ahead of Chinese New Year, on 25 January, and carrier sources tell The Loadstar they are ’rolling’ containers for North European ...