Over the last year freight rates from the Far East have probably doubled, with further huge increases being mentioned for April and July. Therefore, by the time the usual peak season comes around in 2004, I estimate that some rates will have trebled or maybe even quadrupled over 2003. While I accept that these rates are moving off a very low base, no other industry in the world would be able to increase their costs by 200 - 400% in any one year. What puzzles me is the lack of protest - or have I missed the howls of protest in the media? Name withheld.
