Ocean freight rates are climbing again, good news for shipping lines but a rising cost for exporters and importers.

• The main Shanghai export container rate index rose for the sixth week in a row.
• Southeast Asia routes jumped the most, up over 12% in a week.
• US routes also gained, with both the West Coast and East Coast lanes rising.
• Europe and Mediterranean routes went the other way, slipping on the week.

Outlook: Rates on the US and short-haul Asian routes look set to stay firm, while Europe-bound shipping keeps softening.