World Economy

Container Lines Push Blanked Sailings as Spot Rates Rally Across Major Routes

Container carriers are reducing capacity on the world's largest east-west corridors as spot freight rates climb. The Asia-Europe market rebounded this week for a second consecutive period of rate increases, reversing three months of post-peak season declines. Carriers are deploying blank sailings to tighten supply and support pricing pressure. Separately, truckload reefer rates climbed 0.5% to an average of $2.76 per mile excluding fuel, while flatbed rates edged down marginally. Industry pricing power indices indicate carriers are capturing improved negotiating leverage.