Demand in Europe and North America for goods from China is declining, which is reflected in sharply falling freight rates. In some cases, these are almost back to the level before the global outbreak of the Corona pandemic at the beginning of 2020. During the peak of high freight rates in 2021, they were up to ten times higher. Fitting into the picture are the weak trade figures in the latest Kiel Trade Indicator data update for September (month-to-month, price/seasonally adjusted). However, the flow of maritime container traffic remains disrupted, with many freighters still being stuck. In the German Bight, however, the congestion is receding.