Container spot rates have jumped sharply on major east-west trades.
China–US W. Coast daily spot rates rising from $1,700 in March to $6,200.
Drewry’s WCI also rose 9% to $4,530/40HC on July 2.
So the question is not whether rates are rising.
The question is why they are rising faster than headline demand alone can explain.
The simple issue
Freight rates are set at the margin.