Asia–Europe Freight Rates Fall for 13 Consecutive Weeks as US and European Routes Weaken Across the Board

AMZ123 has learned that the latest assessment of Drewry's World Container Index shows freight rates generally weakening across major eastbound trunk routes, as domestic factories pause for the holidays and export volumes temporarily decline.

Looking at freight rates on individual routes, from Shanghai to Los Angeles, spot freight rates fell 3% to USD 7624 per 40-foot container; rates from Shanghai to New York edged down 2% to USD 10220.

Freight rates on Asia–Europe routes continued to decline, marking 13 consecutive weeks of decreases.Shanghai to Rotterdam freight rates fell 2% to USD 3337 per 40-foot container; rates from Shanghai to Genoa remained unchanged at USD 3696. Overall, the World Container Index fell 2% that week, averaging USD 4351 per 40-foot container.

Xeneta monitoring data shows that, since month 7, day 1, spot freight rates from the Far East to the Mediterranean have fallen by a cumulative 43%, while rates from the Far East to Northern Europe have declined by a cumulative 34%. Although the decline in freight rates has narrowed, the overall trend remains downward, and current rates are still above the baseline at the start of the year.

Looking back at the market backdrop, geopolitical factors and other disruptions drove a sharp surge in Asia–Europe freight rates during the summer of 2026, but rates began a sustained decline in month 7.

The domestic National Day holiday has further weighed on short-term export volumes. To stabilize freight rates, several shipping lines have adjusted market capacity by canceling some sailings. Meanwhile, the resumption of transit through the Suez Canal has progressed faster than expected, substantially increasing capacity on Asia–Europe routes and becoming one of the key factors suppressing freight rates on these routes.

Major shipping lines currently plan to raise freight-all-kinds rates (FAK rates) in the latter part of month 10 in an attempt to halt the decline in freight rates, and some companies have formally announced their rate adjustment plans. However, the market remains doubtful about whether these increases can be implemented and sustained. The full return of capacity through the Suez Canal remains the biggest obstacle to a recovery in freight rates.

For shippers exporting to the US and Europe, the current downward freight rate cycle offers a favorable short-term window for booking space and negotiating prices. With the annual contract negotiation season also approaching, weakness in the spot market will further strengthen shippers' bargaining power in negotiations over long-term ocean freight contracts.

However, considerable market uncertainty remains. Continued monitoring is needed of shipping lines' subsequent sailing cancellations and space controls, the implementation of rate adjustments, and the impact of capacity fluctuations arising from progress in the resumption of Suez Canal transit.

Overall, the global container shipping market remains subject to the combined effects of geopolitical conditions, seasonal export demand, new vessel deliveries and deployment, and other factors. Freight rates may continue to fluctuate in the short term.

Author ✎ TEN/AMZ123

Notice: Copyright in this article belongs to AMZ123. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. For authorization, please contact: amz123happy