News / Ocean freight rate volatility 'unprecedented' – look out for ripples, warning

The spread between rates on the spot market has reached an “unprecedented” level, with wide-ranging implications for container shippers this year.

Analysing rates from Asia to North Europe during a webinar this week, freight rate benchmarking firm Xeneta showed how the average spot price had jumped some 2,000% over the past five years to $8,300.

However, as in previous years the spread between the lowest and highest short-term rate was around $1,000, the current spread ranges between $6,000 and $11,000.

And now, Xeneta ...