In spite of recent increases in freight volumes, container rates Asia – Europe are continuing to fall. Last week’s Shanghai Containerised Freight Index dropped 1.9% on the previous week; rates have been falling for six consecutive week. But according to analysts at the Shanghai Shipping Exchange, the speed of decline has slowed due to the ending of the week-long National Day holiday in China. Exports have started to move again as the Chinese return to work, and retailers in the West stock up for Christmas.