News
In March 2011, westbound containers from Asia to Europe increased 8.18% from a year earlier to 1,164,900 TEUs, according to Container Trade Statistics Ltd. (CTS) of the U.K.
They came back from February 2011, when they suffered a year-on-year decline under the influence of the Lunar New Year.
Eastbound container trade from Europe to Asia was also brisk, going up 5.76% to 540,000 TEUs.
CTS added, however, the freight rate index (the average of 2008 rates: 100 points) for westbound services was 88 points in March, meaning it fell below the 2008 level for four months in a row, or since December 2010.
The index was below the 90-point line for the first time in 16 months, or since October 2009, when it decreased to 85 points.
Focusing on the first quarter (January to March) of 2011, container movement was robust in both directions, with westbound traffic rising 6.25% year on year to 3,331,900 TEUs and eastbound traffic, 4.33% to 1,440,900 TEUs.
