Shipping crisis: I'm being quoted £10,000 for a £1,600 container'

"We were paying £1,600 per container in November, this month we've been quoted over £10,000," says Helen White.

The founder of start-up Houseof.com, which imports lighting from China, says the rise in shipping costs means she's

making a loss on what she sells.

She's one of many UK importers facing soaring freight costs amid a global shipping crisis that may last months.

A shortage of empty shipping containers in Asia and bottlenecks at the UK's deep sea ports are behind the problems.

It was hoped the backlogs could be cleared during the Chinese New Year holiday in February, but instead a coronavirus
outbreak in China is adding to the uncertainty facing firms.

In the UK the difficulties in international shipping have coincided with problems faced by businesses trading with the EU
after Brexit.

One Manchester-based freight forwarder said the logistics industry is facing the most challenging conditions he's seen
in the 17 years he's been in the business.

Craig Poole from Cardinal Maritime said during lockdowns, people have been turning to online shopping, and that's
causing a surge in demand for goods from China.

But some companies can't absorb the skyrocketing freight costs that shipping lines are charging. That could lead to
higher prices for consumers or businesses having to close.

"The really unfortunate thing is, the small businesses who can't afford to pay those rates are going to go under as
a result," Mr Poole said.

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