--- title: Rising Container Costs description: There is currently an extraordinary level of pent up demand for all types of products from China and the Far East to the US and Europe. image: https://blog.cherwell-online.co.uk/hubfs/FINAL%202021.01%20Shanghai%20Freight%20Costs%20Index.png --- [![Cherwell Workplace Solutions](https://blog.cherwell-online.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Cherwell%20Workplace%20Solutions.png?width=1035&height=289&name=Cherwell%20Workplace%20Solutions.png "Cherwell Workplace Solutions")](http://www.cherwell-online.co.uk) ![](https://blog.cherwell-online.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Cherwell%20Workplace%20Solutions%202020/images/phone_head.png?width=14&name=phone_head.png) 01926 817585 ![](https://blog.cherwell-online.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Cherwell%20Workplace%20Solutions%202020/images/email_head.png?width=14&name=email_head.png) sales@cherwell-online.co.uk ![](https://blog.cherwell-online.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Cherwell%20Workplace%20Solutions%202020/images/globe_head.png?width=14&name=globe_head.png) www.cherwell-online.co.uk - [Our Services](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-services/) - [Advisory Services](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-services/advisory-services/) - [Supply Chain Management Service](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-services/supply-chain-management-service/) - [Environmental Services](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-services/environmental-services/) - [Information Technology Services](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-services/information-technology-services/) - [Training Services](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-services/training-services/) - [Our Products](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-products/) - [First Aid & Healthcare](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-products/first-aid-and-healthcare/) - [Floorcare](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-products/floorcare/) - [Green and Sustainable Products](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-products/green-and-sustainable-products/) - [Housekeeping and Laundry Supplies](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-products/housekeeping-and-laundry-supplies/) - [Janitorial Equipment](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-products/janitorial-equipment/) - [Kitchen And Catering Supplies](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-products/kitchen-and-catering-supplies/) - [Office Supplies](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-products/office-supplies/) - [Personal Protective Equipment](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-products/personal-protective-equipment/) - [Washroom Hygiene](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-products/washroom-hygiene/) - [Waste Management](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-products/waste-management/) - [Our Customers](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-customers/) - [Catering & Hospitality](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-customers/catering-and-hospitality/) - [Contract Cleaners and FM](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-customers/contract-services/) - [Education](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-customers/education/) - [Healthcare](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/our-customers/healthcare/) - [About Us](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/about-us/) - [The Royal Warrant](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/about-us/the-royal-warrant/) - [Capable Logistics](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/about-us/capable-logistics/) - [Charity Support](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/about-us/charity-contributions/) - [Measured Quality](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/about-us/measured-quality/) - [Meet our Team](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/about-us/meet-our-team/) - [Partners & Suppliers](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/about-us/our-partners-and-suppliers/) - [Sustainability & The Environment](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/about-us/sustainability-and-the-environment/) - [Areas We Cover](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/about-us/areas-we-cover/) - [News](https://blog.cherwell-online.co.uk/) - [Contact Us](https://www.cherwell-online.co.uk/contact-us/) - # Rising Container Costs There is currently an extraordinary level of pent up demand for all types of products from China and the Far East to the US and Europe. In addition, there is also a chronic lack of carrier capacity, primarily due to a shortage of empty containers in China, arising from a large build-up of container equipment in the West. Allied to this many shipping companies have reduced sailings and container allocations to the UK and Northern Europe in order to bolster short term profits. As the below chart shows, this severe capacity issue has seen a rapid escalation in carrier prices, as shipping lines have withdrawn fixed price and long term agreements, relying wholly on freight rates with large surcharges negotiated on the spot market. ![Shanghai Freight Costs Index](https://blog.cherwell-online.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/FINAL%202021.01%20Shanghai%20Freight%20Costs%20Index.png?width=960&name=FINAL%202021.01%20Shanghai%20Freight%20Costs%20Index.png) ### How long will this problem last? It is expected that freight prices will remain high for most of the first quarter 2021 and possibly into the second. ### What are the implications? Many products in common cleaning and hygiene use originate in part or in whole in the Far East. This includes janitorial equipment (mops, buckets and so on) and notably PPE (gloves, aprons, and so on). Some suppliers have already advised that there may be both short term shortages and surcharge price increases on selected lines. ### What are we doing? The current situation remains fluid and we are working with our suppliers to ensure that we mitigate to the fullest extent possible any price rises. We will speak directly to customers where this problem may impact upon them materially and seek appropriate solutions. [Jeremy Hodge](https://blog.cherwell-online.co.uk/author/jeremy-hodge) 01 Feb 2021 [News](https://blog.cherwell-online.co.uk/tag/news) ## Read On ### [The Disposables Configurator With pressure on EU member states to follow the Single-Use Plastics Directive, 2019, our colleagues...](https://blog.cherwell-online.co.uk/the-disposables-configurator) ### [BICS colour coding movement BICs has long recommended the use of colour-coded cleaning and janitorial equipment within the...](https://blog.cherwell-online.co.uk/bics-colour-coding-movement) ### [Sector cost inflation 2021 News reports of a recent surge in prices has largely been restricted to consumer goods, although...](https://blog.cherwell-online.co.uk/sector-cost-inflation-2021) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com) [Follow us on Twitter](https://www.twitter.com) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com) © 2026 All rights reserved. Cherwell Southfield Road | Kineton Road Industrial Estate | Southam | Warwickshire | CV47 0FB Cherwell is the trading name of Cherwell Packaging Limited. Registered in England & Wales No. 01320468 VAT Reg No: GB 152 4025 48 Cherwell is a registered waste carrier (number: CB/ZE5354XM) under the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011.