News
Westbound containers from Asia to Europe were steady in May 2011, according to Container Trade Statistics Ltd. （CTS） of the U.K.
They increased 5.73% from a year earlier?when they amounted to 1,156,300 TEUs?to 1,222,600 TEUs.
Meanwhile, eastbound containers from Europe to Asia were not as brisk, growing a much weaker 1.12% from 482,100 TEUs to 487,500 TEUs.
On an accumulated basis, CTS said that westbound shipments went up 6% year on year to 5,731,700 TEUs from January to May, and eastbound shipments, up 4.3% to 2,437,500 TEUs.
The freight rate index for services from Asia to Europe （the average of 2008 rates: 100 points） plunged to 78 points in May 2011, falling below the 80-point line for the first time in 19 months, or since October 2009.
CTS added the index had been on a downward trend since it reached an all-time high of 115 points in July 2010.
