News / Supply chain uncertainty hits shippers as 'broken' GRIs add to volatility

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Next week will see the implementation of a series of general rate increases on the Asia-North Europe trade as container shipping lines once again attempt to force freight rates up to break-even levels, amid warnings from shippers and analysts that pricing volatility is set to continue – and possibly worsen.

Industry-wide benchmarks are in short supply due to the relative infancy of container rate indices. The Shanghai Containerised Freight Index first launched in May 2009, when Asia-North Europe spot rates were ...