It may just be supply and demand which has been knocked out of balance by Covid. Demand aand supply would have plumetted from April to December 2020, but rapidly increased in the last few months as developed (EU and US) economies have opened up.
This will have impacted supplies of almost everything coming from China - electricals, car components, white goods, cookware, industrial machinery etc etc. Many are still in demonstrably short supply.
It is entirely possible that major importers have long term shiping contracts in place which may run for 1-3 years. This being the case the increased demands on capacity are being made upon shipping which may already be ~80% committed.
I suspect the shipping cost issue will sort itsself out over the next 6 months!
|