On Thursday, stock prices of European major shipping companies once again recorded an increase. This is mainly due to the continuously rising freight rates, which are caused by the avoidance of voyages through the Red Sea. The attacks by Houthi rebels on ships in Yemen have led to companies having to adjust their routes.

For example, the stock price of Hapag-Lloyd on XETRA rose by 13.93 percent to 166.80 euros - the highest level since mid-October. Since mid-December alone, the company has recorded an impressive increase of more than half. Moeller Maersk also saw an increase of 5.04 percent to 13,970 Danish kroner in Copenhagen. Since mid-December, the increase here is even more than two-thirds.

Similar developments were observed in Oslo with MPC Container Ships, whose stock price temporarily rose by 5.6 percent. According to analyst Omar Nokta from Jefferies Bank, freight rates for container shipping have continued to gain momentum. Prices have already reached record highs on important trade routes, which were last seen in October and November 2022.

"Nokta explained that the limited capacities in Europe and the Mediterranean due to the bypassing of the Red Sea have led to a significant increase in spot freight rates."

Currently, freight rates on the spot market for Asia-Mediterranean routes are at 4700 US dollars per transport unit FEU (Forty-Foot Equivalent Unit). Rates have also increased to 3200 dollars on Asia-Europe lines. "This corresponds to twice the levels of mid-December and is significantly higher than the operational costs of major carriers, which are around 2200 dollars," said the expert.

The rising freight rates are a clear signal that European shipping companies are currently benefiting from high demand and limited capacities. Investors should keep an eye on these developments and carefully examine potential investment opportunities.