Spot freight rates dropped across key trade lanes on 2 October 2025, according to data from Xeneta, reflecting a continuing easing following September’s volatility.
Compared with a week earlier, rates declined between 4.6 per cent and 6.6 per cent across major routes, indicating a broad cooling of spot market conditions.
Specifically, the Far East to US West Coast route settled at $1,681 per FEU, while rates to the US East Coast averaged $2,638 per FEU.
Rates to North Europe stood at $1,703 per FEU, and the Mediterranean route at $2,220 per FEU.
The North Europe to US East Coast trade recorded rates of $1,648 per FEU.
September had been a turbulent month for freight from the Far East to the US, with a sharp spike seen on 1 September being completely reversed by month-end. Current rates have fallen about 8 per cent compared to late August.
European trade lanes also experienced steadier declines through September, with the Far East to North Europe route retracting from its summer highs to current levels below those seen in June and July.
The North Europe to US East Coast lane in particular has softened consistently, dropping 5.5 per cent in the past week and now sitting at its lowest level in 21 months.
READ: Shipping spot rates drop as demand remains weak
Peter Sand, Chief Analyst at Xeneta, reflected: “Average spot rates on the Transpacific trade are now below the levels at the end of August, with the unexpected spike at the beginning of September more than wiped out.”
He also warned of ongoing risks: “China has passed legislation allowing it to take countermeasures against any nation it believes is acting against its national trade interests. The lights are still flashing red on the geo-political dashboard, so it would be foolish for shippers to believe there is no potential for more pain as we look ahead to 2026.”
This caution comes after analysis in August that highlighted considerable volatility in US import volumes, with estimates warning of a possible loss of over 400,000 TEU in 2025 should macroeconomic and trade tensions persist.
These recent developments signal a market adjusting to geopolitical uncertainties and supply-demand dynamics as the global container shipping sector navigates a challenging environment headed into 2026.
