News / Perishables shippers high and dry as reefer rates soar and boxes run short

Perishables shippers are being left high and dry by shipping lines opting to carry general cargo in unplugged reefers, increasing equipment shortages.

And, according to Drewry, reefer freight rates increased again in Q3, with the analyst expecting a similar acceleration throughout next year.

A weighted average of rates across the top 15 “reefer-intensive” deepsea tradelanes rose 48% between January and September, Drewry said, and by the end of Q4 these gains are expected to be as much as 55%.

It added: “Booming reefer ...