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Xeneta Press Releases

XENETA WEEKLY OCEAN CONTAINER SHIPPING MARKET UPDATE – 06.02.2026

Average spot rates have fallen on all Far East fronthauls to the US and Europe in the past week, but there may be a sting in the tail for shippers with carriers expected to begin blanking sailings more aggressively.

Philip Hennessey
February 06, 2026

 

Latest Xeneta ocean container shipping data highlights are provided below quotes from Xeneta Chief Analyst Peter Sand.

Analyst insight on this week's announcement by Gemini Cooperation (Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd) on returning its ME11 service to full loop Red Sea transits can also be found here.

Xeneta analyst insight

Peter Sand, Xeneta Chief Analyst:

“Average spot rates have fallen on all Far East fronthauls to the US and Europe in the past week, but there may be a sting in the tail for shippers with carriers expected to begin blanking sailings more aggressively.

“The steepest spot rate decline is found from Far East to Mediterranean, down -6.6%, followed by -5.3% to North Europe, -5% to US East Coast and -3.1% into US West Coast.

“Carriers will begin blanking sailings more aggressively in a bid to tighten capacity and bring the decline in freight rates under control.

“If a shipper expects cargo to leave port on a certain date, they should factor the risk of that service being blanked - potentially at the last minute - and the subsequent ripple effects of delays on their supply chain.

“Shippers may benefit from overcapacity if it forces lower freight rates, but if that overcapacity also causes increased blanked sailings, there could be an operational price to pay.

“Maersk has already reported a loss for its ocean segment in Q4 2025 (APMM Q4-2025 EBIT for Ocean at -$153m) and all carriers will face overcapacity challenges in 2026. Carriers will not sit and watch freight rates fall, with blanking sailings being just one tool at their disposal..”

 

Data highlights

  • Market average spot rates – 5 February 2026

    • Far East to US West Coast: USD 2,124 per FEU (40ft container)

    • Far East to US East Coast: USD 2,946 per FEU

    • Far East to North Europe: USD 2,466 per FEU

    • Far East to Mediterranean: USD 3,929 per FEU

    • North Europe to US East Coast: USD 1,491 per FEU

WRU spot 5 Feb 26

  • Offered capacity (4-week rolling average) – w/c 2 February 2026

    • Far East to US West Coast: -2.1% from a week ago

    • Far East to US East Coast: +8.1% from a week ago

    • Far East to North Europe: -1.3% from a week ago

    • Far East to Mediterranean: -3.6% from a week ago

    • North Europe to US East Coast: +9.6% from a week ago

WRU capacity 5 Feb 26

 

Ends

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