2020 has proved to be a very favorable year for the world's container shipping lines, which have all more or less been able to raise their operating margins in the third quarter to the highest level seen in a decade, writes analyst firm Alphaliner.

Alphaliner points to a combination of high freight rates out of Asia and lower costs, particularly related to fuel costs, as the reason why the average operating market grew to 14.8 percent in the quarter. This is the highest level achieved in a decade.