Spot rates cited by the Shanghai Containerised Freight Index for Asia to Europe containers fell 15 per cent last week, hitting 19-month low at US$1,304 per FEU - far below the $2,000 break-even point.

But backhaul rates on the same Rotterdam-to-Shanghai route were up three per cent to $855 per FEU.

In the four weeks since carriers announced general rate increases on November 1, spot rates have nearly halved

Drewry's World Container Index transatlantic spot rates were down 0.9 per cent to $2,229 per FEU. Eastbound from New York to Rotterdam, rates were up 1.1 per cent $1,204 per FEU.