Ocean containerisation rates have more than quadrupled since the beginning of the year as shippers across the globe, led for the most part by multinational supply-chain concerns, drive prices to levels well beyond the previous peak recorded 16 years ago.
The peak from 2005, British maritime think tank Clarkson Research Services has found, is 128% lower than the level to which the current rates have increased.
In addition, although it has been reported that leading retailers such as Ikea are joining the trend set by the likes of Home Depot and Walmart to charter their own vessels (read related story: https://tinyurl.com/37xhxzee), large shipping concerns are still prepared to pay top dollar for assured sailings.
To make matters worse for freight forwarders battling to keep up, the 128% increase is expected to curve upwards into 2022.
Placing a finer focus on what they have found, Clarkson said 1 700-TEU vessels were now capable of charging $51 000 a day for contracts of six to 12 months.
For 4 400-TEU ships, the day rate has rocketed to $97 500.
Vessels capable of carrying 6 800 TEUs are charging $111 500 per day.
