Supply Chain Research

The performance of container rates in 2017 was partly a matter of perspective. Shipping rates out of China were 15% better for 2017 on average vs. 2016. Yet, much of that gain came earlier in the year, with rates in the last week of the year having fallen 5% vs. the end of 2016. As a result rates rose just 1% annually in the fourth quarter, and fell 8% sequentially. Weakness was seen particularly on U.S.-bound rates despite a 15% rise in inbound shipping activity. Rates for U.S. west coast routes from China fell 13% and those to the east coast by 11% in 4Q vs. a year earlier. A brighter ...