After several weeks of downward movement, average spot container shipping rates on key routes from the Far East rose sharply in mid-October 2025 before stabilising. According to Xeneta’s update on 23 October, average 40-foot container rates are now showing signs of consolidation following the mid-month peak.
The Asia–US West Coast trade recorded the strongest increase, with rates up 33.4% compared with 9 October, reaching an average of USD 2,044 per container. This level, back to that of mid-September, is now close to the average long-term rate of USD 2,013 per feu. Carriers increased blank sailings on the Transpacific during October, keeping available capacity slightly below September levels.
On the East Coast route, the average spot rate reached USD 2,953 per feu, up 20.9% in two weeks and also broadly aligned with mid-September levels. The gap between the two coasts remained stable over the past fortnight, at around USD 909, indicating similar market conditions. Compared with long-term contracts, the East Coast average of USD 3,070 per feu points to near parity.
Towards Europe, the trend was more moderate. Spot rates from the Far East to North Europe rose by 18% compared with two weeks earlier, reaching USD 1,976 per feu, while those to the Mediterranean increased by 9.8% to USD 2,367 per feu. However, a slight week-on-week decline was recorded — down 1.3% and 1.4% respectively. The gap between the two European routes has narrowed to USD 391, close to late-August levels, after widening to USD 605 in mid-September.
The 5.7% fall in rates to the Mediterranean since 16 September largely explains this convergence, while rates to North Europe have risen by 3% over the same period. On European trades, spot rates remain below long-term levels, which average USD 2,168 per feu to North Europe and USD 3,237 to the Mediterranean.
On the North Europe–US East Coast route, the market also appears stable. The average spot rate stands at USD 1,581 per feu, unchanged from the previous week, down 2.6% on two weeks ago and 44.6% lower year on year. According to Peter Sand, Xeneta’s chief analyst, “the increase in spot rates in mid-October on routes to Europe is a positive sign for carriers, but not enough to overtake long-term contract levels”. The current situation, Sand notes, benefits shippers, who may delay contract negotiations until the first quarter of 2026 to secure better terms.
In the US market, Xeneta sees the near equivalence of spot and long-term Transpacific rates as potentially offering shippers room to manoeuvre, though geopolitical uncertainty remains a key factor. The introduction of new US port duties and China’s announced retaliatory measures, combined with the Trump administration’s threat of a further 100% tariff on Chinese imports, make the outlook uncertain. “Even if some believe the 100% tariff threat is tactical, its implementation would cause fresh difficulties for operators already facing a prolonged period of trade tension,” Sand concluded.
