News / Rates reflect strong demand bounce and call for more ocean capacity

Photo: HHLA/Thies Rätzke

Despite generally weak cargo demand, spot rates on the Asia-Europe trades continued to show gains this week, as carrier capacity management combined with port congestion left space at a premium.

Following a series of general rate increases on 1 November and a new round of freight all kinds (FAK) levels due on 15 November, carriers are adopting a bullish tone in what is traditionally one of the weaker periods of the calendar.

“In the wake of the Golden Week national holiday period ...