Shipping costs have accounted for about 4% of the cost of solar modules after falling for 39 consecutive weeks, which is close to the level before the epidemic. This trend may be expected to continue in the short term.

Shipping cost have fallen sharply in recent months and are now close to pre-pandemic levels, according to the UK's shipping agency.

The World Container Freight Index (WCI) shows that freight rates fell by 7% this week, falling for 39 consecutive weeks, and 74% lower than the same week in 2021.

"The latest WCI Composite Index is $2,404 per 40-foot container, 77% lower than the peak of $10,377 reached in September 2021," the agency revealed, "and 36% lower than the five-year average of $3,768, indicating a return to more normal prices state, but still 82% higher than the 2019 (before the pandemic) average price of $1,420."

Container shipping cost $1,500 to $2,000 before the pandemic. It hit $20,000 at the peak of the pandemic and thereafter.

Shipping cost currently accounts for about 4% of the total cost of a module. In August 2021, the cost of solar panels is about $0.27/W, which accounts for about 20% of the FOB (FOB) solar module pricing.

The current shipping cost is about USD 3,500, which means that for a container containing 620pcs 400W solar modules, the cost is about USD 0.01/W. The new crown crisis has made most ports in the EU and the United States extremely congested, and containers cannot enter the port on time, resulting in The number of components decreases and the price increases.

Shipping costs are not expected to rise in the short term.