There are a few signs that the downward cycle currently being experienced by the global freight and wider logistics industry may be coming to an end. That is not to say that a recovery is due any time soon, just that the bottom of the trough may have been reached. Over the past few weeks a number of positive stories have emerged, which although providing only anecdotal evidence may give a welcome boost to confidence in the industry such as media reports suggesting that container rates in Asia-Europe trades are increasing, as the capacity which shipping lines have taken out of their fleets has finally had an impact. China, which was an important driver of growth in the industry right up until the last quarter of 2008, has also seen encouraging signs. Better than expected economic and export growth figures suggest that the stimulus package announced by the Chinese authorities has started to work. Chinese domestic airfreight is also believed to be picking up. While it may be premature to announce the start of the economic upturn but there is an increasing body of evidence to suggest that the downturn is approaching its nadir.
