Supply Chain Research

Container shipping rates had a strong first two weeks of the year, rising 4% according to Shanghai Shipping Exchange data. This may be a temporary effect ahead of the early lunar new year holiday, but has taken rates back to August 2015 levels. Europe-bound rates led the charge with an 8% expansion last week, though South Korean rates dropped. That may be a response to increased funding from the South Korean government which may undermine capacity discipline.