Iran Conflict Premium Fades From Asia-Europe Box Rates

By Gavin van Marle (The Loadstar) – Container freight spot rates on the Asia-Europe trades largely returned to pre-Iran conflict levels this week, as container supply chains settled after the war’s outbreak and settled into what appears to be the normal seasonal slowdown.

According to the World Container Index (WCI) produced by Drewry, spot rates on the Shanghai-Rotterdam corridor fell 4% week on week, to finish at $2,147 per 40ft, while the Shanghai-Genoa leg declined 8% from the previous week, to end at $3,071 per 40ft.

By way of reference, on 26 February the WCI’s Shanghai-Rotterdam reading stood at $2,094 per