May 17, 2021 – Hapag-Lloyd has just announced a $3,000 per 40ft GRI on Asia to the US and Canada services from June 15. A year ago, the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index U.S. west coast component stood at $1,686 per 40ft – 12 months on, and shippers are paying up to $14,000 to ship the same cargo on the same route in the same ships. Typically, quotes for the route, after inclusion of equipment and space guarantees, are near $10,000, with some carriers wanting up to $14,000 for an early June shipment. Even some BCOs that have signed new annual contracts with carriers are reported to be scrambling to get their products shipped as the lines foll back on start dates and volume commitments in favour of abundant lucrative spot and short-term business.