Asia-Europe spot rates to hit US$2,000/TEU by March

SPOT rates on the Asia-Europe container shipping routes are forecast to rise to US$2,000 per TEU in two months time, according to Danske Bank's container rate index.

At present, the rates stand at $1,763/TEU, reports International Freighting Weekly. "Carriers have the upper hand - no doubt about that. Many participants in our container index expect rates to move to $2,000 per TEU two months ahead, as carriers plan to take out more capacity following the Chinese new year," said the bank.

"One participant complained that carriers currently have 18 different surcharges, including peak-season surcharges, even though we're way past the peak season."

Danske Bank defines spot rate as the charge for transporting a TEU, including all surcharges - but excluding terminal handling charges - from Shanghai, Ningbo or Shenzhen to Antwerp, Zeebrugge, Rotterdam, Bremerhaven or Hamburg, the report added.

Source: www.schednet.com