The Howe Robinson Container Index (HRCI) fell from 731.9 points in week 38 to 728.5 points in week 40. This is the first dip for quite a while, though the rates for several ship categories remained unchanged. The Asia-Europe trade in particular slowed in August. Westbound volumes totalled 1.2 million teu that month, which is still a handsome rise of 16.4% compared to the same (disastrous) month in 2009. According to Alphaliner, the idle containership fleet now stands at 250,000 teu, but it is expected to rise to 600,000 teu by the end of December.
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