Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of container shipping prices on UK trade; and if she will make a statement.

High consumer demand and sustained disruption caused by Covid-19 has put pressure on global freight capacity which has resulted in demand for shipping containers outstripping supply. This has caused an increase in the cost of freight transport globally. Higher prices have impacted UK trade causing disruption for businesses and individuals. DIT has supported DfT in working with the shipping industry to mitigate disruption. DIT is also engaging with affected businesses and continues to monitor the impact of rising shipping prices on international trade.