Maritime Silk Road Index: This week, Middle East freight rates return to high levels, and the composite index narrows its decline.

```htmlGelonghui July 24｜This week, the Ningbo Shipping Exchange released the Maritime Silk Road Index for Ningbo export container freight rates (NCFI), which closed at 2219.2 points, down 1.9% compared to last week. Out of 21 routes, 5 route freight rate indices increased, 14 decreased, and 2 remained basically unchanged. Among the main ports along the “Maritime Silk Road” regions, freight rate indices rose in 8 ports and declined in 8 ports. The Europe route freight rate index was 2141.0 points, down 1.5% from last week; the East Mediterranean route index was 2045.7 points, down 1.6% from last week; the West Mediterranean route index was 2570.3 points, down 2.2% from last week. The US East route freight rate index was 2783.3 points, down 2.7% from last week; the US West route index was 3107.0 points, down 8.8% from last week. The Middle East route index was 4090.1 points, up 9.9% from last week.```