High box rates unlikely to hit demand, says Howe Robinson.

(From Lloyds List)

Byline: Effect on high street prices expected to be minimal, writes Janet Porter

SOARING containership charter rates should have almost no noticeable impact on the shipping costs of individual consumer items, leaving box lines with plenty of scope to raise freight rates without hitting demand.

Howe Robinson describes the additional cost of chartering ships as 'largely irrelevant' as far as retail values are concerned, with higher transport charges probably only adding a few cents at most to high street prices.

Container lines should therefore be able to lift freight rates to compensate for soaring ship charter rates …