How Could the Next Rate Collapse Start?

Rates can fall fast without demand collapsing.

Freight rates are still high.

Global volumes are up 5.1% Jan–Jul.

Yet Asia–Europe rates are already falling.

• Shanghai–Genoa fell 5% last week.

• Shanghai–Rotterdam fell 9%.

That looks contradictory.

But detours, congestion and blank sailings keep supply tight.

If those supports unwind, usable capacity could rise fast.

So what could trigger the next rate reset?

Here are 5️⃣ signals to watch:

---

1️⃣ Demand does not need to collapse