Xeneta Weekly Sea Container Shipping Market: Rates Increase
Market average spot exchange rates – October 23, 2025:
Far East to US West Coast: USD 2044 per FEU (40ft container)
Far East to US East Coast: USD 2953 per FEU
Far East to Northern Europe: USD 1976 per FEU
Far East to Mediterranean: USD 2367 per FEU
Northern Europe to US East Coast: USD 1581 per FEU
The average spot rate of the four major fronthauls in the Far East rose sharply in mid-October and maintained that level in the past week. This increase follows consistent interest rate cuts since mid-September.
The biggest increase from two weeks ago was the average spot rate for the Far East to the US West Coast. The figure is up 33.4% since October 9, reaching levels last seen in mid-September.
Airlines have increased sailings on the Transpacific throughout October, to keep capacity on offer slightly below September levels.
Similar developments were seen on the US East Coast compared to the Far East, with spot exchange rates back at mid-September levels and up by 20.9% compared to two weeks ago.
Rates appear to have stabilized after initial increases in mid-October on both coasts of the US.
The spread between the two US coastal areas has been consistently around 909 USD for the past two weeks indicating similar conditions impacting spot exchange rates on both trades.
The spot rate from the Far East to the US West Coast (USD 2044 per FEU) is almost equivalent to the long-term average rate (USD 2013 per FEU). A similar situation occurs on the US East Coast with an average spot rate of USD 2953 and an average long-term rate of USD 3070 per FEU.
Average spot prices rose 9.8% in the Far East to the Mediterranean and 18% to Northern Europe compared to two weeks ago. However, there was a slight decrease of -1.4% and -1.3% respectively from last week.
The gap between the two European-bound fronthauls from the Far East has narrowed since mid-September to now reach 391 USD. This is a return to late August levels.
The 5.7% decline in the Mediterranean region since September 16 was the main contributor to the narrowing of this spread, compared with the decline in Northern Europe which increased by 3% over the same period. The spread was USD 605 on September 16.
The average spot rate from the Far East to Northern Europe (USD 1976 per FEU) is now below the average long-term rate (USD 2168 per FEU). A similar situation occurs in the Mediterranean with an average spot rate of USD 2367 per FEU and long-term rate of USD 3237 per FEU.
Finally, in Transatlantic, short-term interest rates were unchanged compared to last week. Down 2.6% from two weeks ago, and 44.6% from a year ago today.
Source: Xeneta
