Supply Chain Research

Container shipping rates continued to surge in April with North Asia to West Coast North America reaching an all-time high of $3,400 / FEU on Aug. 24, up 25.9% compared to a month earlier. That’s been due to a surge in demand and has led to shipments being delayed as well as an antitrust review in China. The latter may be driving out-of-alliance shipping routes such as that implemented by MSC. Further disruptions including cancelled sailings in India, the tragic explosion in Beirut and strikes in Montreal have all put upward pressure on rates globally. Container lines and rail operators ...