Would the grey pool concept work for the reefer box sector?

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A series of unprecedented freight rate rises, introduced by container shipping lines on reefer cargoes at the beginning of this year, has unsurprisingly proved to be a cause of considerable friction between carriers and their customers, and has further accentuated supply chain problems over the availability of reefers for perishable exporters.

The $1,500 per feu January reefer rate hike introduced by container lines was sold to shippers as ‘inevitable’, yet it had followed years of desperate attempts by some shipping lines ...