Early signs suggest that the global shipping downturn has hit bottom as freight rates recover to near break-even levels, but it could be years before the industry returns to pre-recession levels. … Demand and prices in container shipping collapsed last year with prices on some routes dropping to zero as shippers asked exporters to pay only for fuel and terminal charges. But share prices have rebounded sharply in 2009 on hopes that improving global trade and China demand could help these companies to float again.
