Supply Chain Research

Global container shipping markets were beset by equipment shortages, port congestion and delays in April as a result of continued, elevated demand as well as the ripple effect of the Suez Canal blockage in March. The elevated demand situation can be seen in Southeast Asia to North America shipping rates which rose $100 per FEU (forty-foot equivalent unit) to $4,550 per FEU in the month according to S&P Global Platts assessments, while Hong Kong to East Coast North America rates are around $10,000 per FEU. U.S. seaborne imports in April were just 2.3% lower than those in March, which set ...