Supply Chain Research

Container rates on routes out of China continued a strong opening to 2018 after rising 6% in January. The positive price momentum comes ahead of the later lunar new year, and ahead of the earnings reports from the container-lines. Trans-Pacific routes saw significant volatility. South Korea rates fell 12%, likely due to the end of the TSA, while those to South America were 3% and may slide further after Maersk’s new – and presumably more competitive – services were announced. The increase in container rates kept pace with a 4% rise in bunker fuel costs, though a 9% rise in oil prices may...