Fuel costs have risen as a result of the war in Iran, and global container shipping prices have continued to rise. Analysts say freight rates on some major routes may once again approach or break through the historical highs set during the pandemic. According to data from the freight pricing platform Xeneta, the spot freight price of a 40-foot container on a major ocean container route has risen to 10,948 US dollars, an increase of more than 4 times since the outbreak of the Iran war on February 28, and close to the historical record of 1,1900 US dollars set in January 2022. The price of marine low-sulphur fuel has now risen to 901.5 US dollars per ton, compared to 543.5 US dollars on February 27, but it is still below the peak of 1,053 US dollars set on March 20. As traditional pre-peak season companies speed up inventory replenishment, shipping demand may further drive up freight rates. Analysts at Xeneta said that with fuel surcharges continuing to rise, it is not ruled out that freight rates on related container routes will exceed the peak during the pandemic.

Fuel costs have risen as a result of the war in Iran, and global container shipping prices have continued to rise. Analysts say freight rates on some major routes may once again approach or break through the historical highs set during the pandemic. According to data from the freight pricing platform Xeneta, the spot freight price of a 40-foot container on a major ocean container route has risen to 10,948 US dollars, an increase of more than 4 times since the outbreak of the Iran war on February 28, and close to the historical record of 1,1900 US dollars set in January 2022. The price of marine low-sulphur fuel has now risen to 901.5 US dollars per ton, compared to 543.5 US dollars on February 27, but it is still below the peak of 1,053 US dollars set on March 20. As traditional pre-peak season companies speed up inventory replenishment, shipping demand may further drive up freight rates. Analysts at Xeneta said that with fuel surcharges continuing to rise, it is not ruled out that freight rates on related container routes will exceed the peak during the pandemic.