News / Retailers eye ocean and rail as air freight rates rise with Golden Week

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Tomorrow marks the start of China’s Golden Week holiday and factory closures – which means air freight rates are expected to soar from the middle of the month, driving shippers to seek alternative modes.

While the TAC Index (see below) is showing rates currently relatively stable, with slight rises into China, forwarders are reporting that air freight prices are on the increase again.

“Especially out of Shanghai,” said one forwarder, “we’ve seen $0.60 to $0.70 rises in the past week or so.

“There ...