News / Spot rate rises slow, but Asia-Med rates look set to hit $20k, say analysts

Port of Houston © Dragan Janovic

The increased pricing in container spot rates on the main east-west trades eased this week, with just single-digit gains.

And given their absence this week, it appears last week’s eyebrow-raising double-digit gains appear to have been propelled by carrier rate hikes on 1 June. Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) composite rate grew 2% week on week; although it is 202% up, year on year.

The WCI’s Shanghai-Rotterdam leg also grew 2%, to reach $6,177 per 40ft – some 358% up year on ...