Increase in Maritime Freight Costs: Rs 15,000 More for a 20-Foot Container

Chartering a 20-foot container now costs an average of Rs 15,000 more. This is a direct consequence of the conflict in the Middle East, notes Afzal Delbar, director of Silver Line Services Ltd, a maritime transportation company.

According to him, the shipping brokerage sector is facing additional challenges, including a shortage of crew members, a scarcity of available containers, and especially the reluctance of insurers who are hesitant to cover ships using high-risk maritime routes.

He admits that all these factors have led to a freight cost increase of 15% to 30% in recent weeks.