Neptune Orient Lines says for the six weeks of P1 2010 (Dec 26 to Feb 5), container shipping volumes increased 63% to 307,400 FEU (Forty-foot Equivalent Unit) while average revenue per FEU declined 9% to US$2,417 ($3,400) over the same period last year.

NOL says the improvement in volume was due to higher volumes lifted in all trade lanes and stronger pre-Chinese New Year shipments. Lower average revenue per FEU y-o-y was due to lower core freight rates, particularly on the Transpacific and changes in trade mix, partially offset by improvements in Asia Europe rates.

P1 2010 average revenue per FEU improved by 10% compared to P12 2009, due to increased freight rates on key trade lanes and the implementation of the Emergency Revenue Charge on the Transpacific on 15 January 2010.