Container rates surged across major trade lanes as capacity shifts and port congestion continued to disrupt Far East–Europe, Far East–US, and Mediterranean shipping.
Recent data from Xeneta and eeSea highlights ongoing disruption across major ocean container trade lanes.
Peter Sand, Chief Analyst at Xeneta, said average departure delays from the Far East to Europe reached 12.5 days in the week ending 14 December 2025, the second highest in three years.
“This pushed many departures expected for last week into this week, which clearly has knock-on disruption for supply chains,” he explained.
Sand noted the delays were caused by port congestion and operational inefficiencies, not blanked sailings. He added that shippers returning to just-in-time supply chains in 2026 will need to manage the risk of late arrivals and ensure carriers deliver on commitments.
Capacity from the Far East to the US West Coast is expected to rise 10.4 per cent in January compared with December, while blanked capacity has fallen 48.5 per cent.
READ: Far East-US spot rates fall while Europe routes strengthen
In contrast, Far East to US East Coast services have 162,219 TEU of blanked capacity scheduled over the next eight weeks.
Sand said this reflects stronger demand into the East Coast and heightened sensitivity to US–China geopolitical tensions on the West Coast.
As of 18 December 2025, average spot rates were $2,086 per FEU to the US West Coast, $2,982 to the US East Coast, $2,545 to North Europe, $4,072 to the Mediterranean, and $1,566 from North Europe to the US East Coast.
Week-on-week, Far East to US West Coast rates rose 21.3 per cent, with capacity broadly steady. Far East to US East Coast rates increased 18.4 per cent alongside a 7.2 per cent rise in capacity.
READ: Drewry Container Index falls as trans-Pacific rates slide
Far East to North Europe rates were up 7.2 per cent with capacity up 19.2 per cent, while Far East to the Mediterranean saw rates climb 18.9 per cent and capacity rise 7.4 per cent.
North Europe to US East Coast rates remained flat, while capacity fell 6.2 per cent.
Month-on-month (MoM), most trade lanes showed moderate rate increases, with Far East to the Mediterranean rising sharply by 38 per cent, reflecting strong demand. Several lanes saw offered capacity delayed from the previous week due to port congestion.
The full weekly rate and capacity charts for 18 December 2025 provide further detail.
For more information:
Xeneta – https://www.xeneta.com/
