Trends in Ocean Container Shipping Rates

Global Trade Daily

  July 1st, 2025|Written by
IndexBox

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The latest trends in the ocean container shipping market reveal a stark contrast in rate movements across major trade lanes, with the trans-Pacific trade from the Far East to the United States experiencing a dramatic decline. The full report can be accessed here. According to data from IndexBox, the market average on Far East to U.S. West Coast services has plummeted from a peak on June 1, with rates standing at $3,317 per forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU) by June 27. This represents a mere 6% increase from May 31, effectively neutralizing the recent upward trend.

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This trade lane, particularly impacted by the U.S.-China trade war, is now witnessing capacity exceeding demand, allowing shippers to resist peak season surcharges imposed by carriers. In contrast, the market average on the trade from the Far East to the U.S. East Coast has seen a more moderate decline, falling 9% since June 1 to $5,990 per FEU. Despite this drop, the spot rate remains 43% higher on June 27 than on May 31, with the spread between the coasts reaching $2,673, the highest in 10 months.

Meanwhile, average spot rates from the Far East into the Mediterranean and North Europe, which experienced jumps in early and mid-June, remain elevated. On June 27, rates to the Mediterranean were 5% higher and to North Europe 14% higher compared to June 1, indicating sustained demand in these regions. The trade from North Europe to the U.S. East Coast has seen little change, with the market average staying flat from a week ago at $2,105 per FEU, representing only a 3% increase from May 31.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform