News / No shade for trade as still soaring freight rates start to take their toll

Skyrocketing freight rates across major tradelanes are eating into retailers margins and making the transport of some commodities unsustainable.

According to an analysis by Sea-Intelligence, average spot rates, together with carrier premium fees – that have become essential in order to secure equipment and space on board heavily booked vessels – means the de-facto rate from Asia to the US west coast is nearer to $10,000 per 40ft, and for North Europe over $12,000 per 40ft.

Moreover, The Loadstar has seen carrier ...