Data highlights

• Market average spot rates – 20 August 2025:
o Far East to US West Coast: USD 1910 per FEU (40ft container)
o Far East to US East Coast: USD 3009 per FEU
o Far East to North Europe: USD 3075 per FEU
o Far East to Mediterranean: USD 3219 per FEU
o North Europe to US East Coast: USD 1911 per FEU

• Further gradual decline on Transpacific trade to US West Coast, down 2.3% since 14 August at USD 1910 per FEU.
• Similar story into US East Coast, down 1.9% since 14 August at USD 3009 per FEU.
• US West Coast and US East Coast fronthaul trades now down 67% and 56% since 1 January, with downward trend expected for the remainder of Q3 and into Q4.
• Continued trend of upwards capacity on all fronthaul trades from Far East to US and Europe in coming weeks, while demand remains subdued – no traditional peak season in 2025.
• In early August, average spot rates from Far East to Mediterranean dropped just below the trade into North Europe. The relationship between these trades has switched back with North Europe standing at USD 3075 per FEU and into the Mediterranean at USD 3219 per FEU.
• Spread between Europe-bound trades has increased due to steeper declines into North Europe since 1 August (-9.5%) compared to Mediterranean (-5.2%).
• Average spot rates expected to fall further into North Europe and Mediterranean for remainder of Q3 and into Q4.

Xeneta analyst insight

Peter Sand, Xeneta Chief Analyst:
“With a continuing trend for increasing capacity on fronthaul trades and subdued ocean container shipping demand, spot rates will fall further in the coming weeks. Shippers should not fear peak season surcharges because, quite simply, there is no traditional peak season in 2025.

“Spot rates from Far East to US East Coast are only down 1.9% from week ago, but do not be deceived, the gradual decline during August means they have fallen 17.3% from three weeks ago.

“Average spot rates to the US East Coast are now at the lowest level since the end of 2023. The rate of decline may have slowed from the dramatic drops in July, but this gradual erosion will continue because there is still room for spot rates to fall further.

“Shippers looking to sign new long term contracts have much to consider because they must balance where rates are right now, where they are likely to be in 2026 and how much of an impact the ongoing conflict in the Red Sea conflict should have on the rates they are paying on each trade.”
Source: Xeneta