Data highlights
- Market average spot rates – 15 October 2025:
- Far East to US West Coast: USD 1653 per FEU (40ft container)
- Far East to US East Coast: USD 2588 per FEU
- Far East to North Europe: USD 1896 per FEU
- Far East to Mediterranean: USD 2309 per FEU
- North Europe to US East Coast: USD 1616 per FEU
- Average spot rates on four main fronthauls out of the Far East have all increased from last week. This uptick follows the previous week when rates were stable after a drop on 1 October.
- Far East to North Europe saw the biggest average spot rate increase in the past week, up 13.9% to reach a 24-day high. The rate jump comes mid-month as carriers successfully push through a few hundred dollars of announced GRIs.
- From Far East into the Mediterranean, the short-term freight rates are up 7.3% from a week ago. This recovers the lost ground in October to-date with the rate now almost back the level at the end of September.
- Similar development from Far East into the US East Coast with the short-term rate back to the end-September level after jumping 5.8% in mid-October. This increase is despite carriers having reintroduced much of the capacity withdrawn during the Golden Week.
- The primary Transpacific trade lane from Far East to US West Coast increased 7.7% in mid-October from a week ago. Xeneta data shows carriers have increased blanked sailings in October, leaving offered capacity largely unchanged for the past two-and-a-half months.
- On the Transatlantic, the short-term rates halted the consistent yet slow-burning decline and remained unchanged from a week ago. Average spot rates on this trade are down -0.7% from two weeks ago and -42.2% since the end of 2024.
- The latest average spot rate data is provided in the attached documents ‘Xeneta - weekly market update 15.10.25’ and ‘Xeneta - weekly market update chart 15.10.25’.
Xeneta analyst insight - Transpacific
Peter Sand, Xeneta Chief Analyst:
“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. 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.
“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.”
Xeneta analyst insight – Europe
Peter Sand, Xeneta Chief Analyst:
“Carriers have cut 13% of capacity from Far East to North Europe since end of August against a backdrop of strong demand, possibly due to frustrated cargo that was originally intended for the US. Something has to give in this situation and that is freight rates – with the spot market increasing 14% in the past week.
“It is likely average spot rates will continue to climb into Europe before peaking and heading south towards the end of the month.”
Ends
Journalists can be added to the distribution list for Xeneta Weekly Market Updates by emailing press@xeneta.com.
Xeneta’s Media Contacts:
Philip Hennessey
Director of External Communications
Xeneta
+44 7830 021808
press@xeneta.com
