Rates for shipping containers from Asia to the US were mixed week on week but face short-term upward pressure as carriers have introduced general rate increases (GRIs) and have increased blank sailings to stop the slide.

Rates from ocean and freight rate analytics firm Xeneta rose slightly this week, as shown in the following chart, although they remain at their lowest since the start of the Red Sea crisis.

Peter Sand, chief analyst at Xeneta, said carriers are likely trying to support rates even if the long-term outlook is bearish.

“There is a lot on shippers’ minds in Q4 trying to look ahead and procure freight for 2026, while also dealing with the here and now,” Sand said. “Carriers may take the opportunity of shippers occupied by 2026 planning to try to push up the short-term market, even if it is to a limited extent,” Sand said.

“We have USTR port fees coming into force this month and China responding with port fees of its own, so there is plenty of uncertainty for shippers and plenty for carriers to latch onto to try and justify the mid-month GRIs,” Sand said.

Rates from online freight shipping marketplace and platform provider Freightos fell by 8% to both US coasts as import volumes from Asia are expected to continue falling through the end of the year after trade war frontloading earlier in the year.

Judah Levine, head of research at Freightos, said he anticipates continued downward pressure on rates along this trade lane.

Spot rates on the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) rose this week to both coasts.

Container shipping major Hapag-Lloyd has announced a GRI of $1,000/FEU (40-foot equivalent unit) increase from Asia to South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean from 1 November.

Rates from supply chain advisors Drewry edged up by 1% to both coasts and they expect further hikes next week on GRIs announced this week.

“However, this momentum is expected to be short-lived, with rates likely to decline soon,” Drewry said. “Carriers could follow up with new GRI attempts on 1 November and 15 November to counteract this drop, if it happens.”

Container ships and costs for shipping containers are relevant to the chemical industry because while most chemicals are liquids and are shipped in tankers, container ships transport polymers, such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), are shipped in pellets. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is also shipped in containers.

They also transport liquid chemicals in isotanks.

LIQUID TANKER RATES LARGELY STABLE
US chemical tanker freight rates assessed by ICIS were steady this week with rates remaining relatively unchanged week after week despite rates continuing to be pressured downward for several trade lanes.

Rates from the USG to ARA trade lane remain unchanged; however, demand along this route continues to be slow following EPCA, leading to further downward pressure on rates, despite somewhat limited open available space. Overall, the market remains balanced, while demand from the region continues to be dominated by biofuels and ethanol.

There continues to be downward pressure on rates along the USG-Asia trade lane as charterers are still in wait-and-see mode pending port tariff issues between US and China. Besides contract of affreightment (COA) cargoes there is very little seen in the market. However, COA volumes continue to be the only bright spot, as several cargoes have already been diverted to other ports.

From the USG to Brazil, this trade lane remains unusually quiet and in turn rates fell on the high end of the range. Fewer fixtures were noted this week; the lack of prompt availability seems to be somewhat tight and therefore owners appear to be cautious about letting rates decline any further.

The USG to India route has seen an uptick in inquiries over the last week with a few confirmed fixtures. There was only one new quote seen for October and November dates. However, along with the other regions, freight rates are widely viewed as softer. Most market players are trying to reposition cargoes and vessels to avoid the China route as port tariffs come into effect.
Source: By Adam Yanell, ICIS (https://www.icis.com/explore/resources/news/2025/10/17/11146885/asia-us-container-rates-mixed-as-carriers-increase-blank-sailings-announce-nov-hikes/)