The world economy’s supply chain problem keeps getting worse


The cost of sending a container from Asia to Europe is about 10 times higher than in May 2020. - AFP

TAIPEI (Bloomberg): A supply chain crunch that was meant to be temporary now looks like lasting well into next year as the surging delta variant upends factory production in Asia and disrupts shipping, posing more shocks to the world economy.

Manufacturers reeling from shortages of key components and higher raw material and energy costs are being forced into bidding wars to get space on vessels, pushing freight rates to records and prompting some exporters to raise prices or simply cancel shipments altogether.

The Star Christmas Special Promo: Save 35% OFF Yearly. T&C applies.

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.02/month

Billed as RM 96.20 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Aseanplus News

PM welcomes IMF's latest assessment of Malaysia’s economic performance
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Friday (Dec 19, 2025)
China’s jobless rate for young people eases to 16.9% as graduates settle for less
Singapore's AGC issues warning to WP leader Pritam Singh and Mediacorp for contempt of court
Collapse of eFishery haunts Indonesia’s startup scene
Paris court rejects French government request to suspend Shein's website for 3 months
Thailand's 2025: Border crisis and natural disasters test governance ahead of election
Govt urged not to slash allowance of medical officers transferred to Sabah, Sarawak
Rising and to rise even further - Vietnam's e-commerce market size estimated at a whopping US$31bil in 2025
Melaka police detain 15 foreigners over human trafficking

Others Also Read