Some 3 million TEU of new tonnage arriving next year will most likely be \u201cmore than offset\u201d by further market disruption, ensuring no respite for embattled shippers, according to Drewry.<\/p>\n
As the prospect of more U.S. east coast port strikes remains uncertain, the maritime consultancy drew up scenarios with a strike in January and without one, and found that in both models, freight rates would continue to rise.<\/p>\n
Port strikes \u201cwill have significant inflationary impact on spot rates, not just on the U.S. connected trade, but also by contagion on the other trades,\u201d said Drewry\u2019s Philip Damas.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there is no port strike, some spot rates will decline, but overall we believe there will be sufficient other factors, such as the increased emission trading system carbon taxes, which will increase by 75% from January.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cSo it\u2019s a bit of a return to increases in rates at a slow rate. Now, I should stress that global freight rates increased by 87% between pre-pandemic 2019 and this year, up 87% on average.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven if the Suez Canal reopens, we do not expect container freight rates will go back to pre-pandemic levels.\u201d<\/p>\n