Container freight rates reported by Neptune orient Lines (NOL) slipped back last month. NOL said the average box rate across all trade in the period 21 August to 17 September was $3,104 per feu, down from a peak of $3,181 per feu in the previous period. The rate was though 38% higher than the same period in 2009. Higher volumes in the Asia – Europe and transpacific trades helped boost volumes by 6% to 217,500 feu compared to the same period a year earlier. Year-to-date average rates were up 21% to $2,799 per feu compared to the corresponding period a year earlier.

Source: Seatrade Asia