Open rates, in the context of shipping lines, refer to the standard freight rates quoted to new customers for moving containers from Point A to Point B on different trade lanes. These rates are established by each shipping line and serve as a basis for pricing containerized cargo transportation services. Open rates can also be known by other names such as Minimum Rate Guidelines (MRG), Minimum Market Guidelines (MMG), or Tariff Rates, depending on the shipping line, trade, and country involved. Unlike negotiated rates or special contracts, open rates are publicly available and applicable to any new customer approaching the shipping line. These rates typically have a longer validity, often lasting at least three months, and represent the highest sustainable rates implemented by the shipping line.