Container spot rates out of Asia split sharply this week, with prices on routes to North America falling while Asia–Europe lanes continued to climb.

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Transpacific rates resumed their decline after last week’s brief uptick, with Drewry’s latest World Container Index (WCI) reflecting similar trends seen earlier on the Shanghai Containerised Freight Index (SCFI). The WCI’s Shanghai–Los Angeles rate dropped 12% to $2,328 per 40ft, while the Shanghai–New York rate fell 15% to $3,254 per 40ft.

If the SCFI continues to act as a leading indicator, more pressure may be coming. Today’s SCFI reading for the Shanghai–US West Coast base port plunged another 18% week-on-week to $1,823 per 40ft, while the Shanghai–US East Coast rate slid 9% to $2,600 per 40ft.

Freight forwarder True Freight reported similar levels, noting China–US West Coast rates hovering at $1,700–$1,750 per FEU, while China–US East Coast lanes slipped to $2,500–$2,700. The difference between carriers’ “special” discounted rates and their official advertised prices has now narrowed to around $100 per FEU.

True Freight expects the downward trend to continue unless booking volumes recover.
“USWC and USEC rates are edging toward September-like levels,” it said. “A December GRI attempt is possible, but without stronger demand it will likely be short-lived.”

Several carriers currently have 1 December general rate increases planned, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 per FEU depending on the line. Meanwhile, the transatlantic trade also softened, with WCI rates slipping 2% to $1,633 per FEU—around 25% below typical historical levels and one of the lowest points since late 2023.

Asia–Europe routes, however, moved in the opposite direction. New FAK (freight all kinds) increases helped push spot pricing higher, with Shanghai–Rotterdam rising 3% to $2,038 per 40ft—its first time above $2,000 since early September. The Shanghai–Genoa rate gained 4% to reach $2,193 per 40ft.

Drewry noted that carriers on the Asia–Europe trade are aggressively pushing spot rates ahead of annual contract negotiations, with new FAK levels between $3,000 and $3,650 per FEU set to take effect on 15 November.

These pricing moves appear set to continue. MSC announced a fresh round of Asia–Europe FAK hikes effective 1 December: $3,100 per FEU to North Europe—representing a 50% increase in just two weeks—plus $3,950 to the west Mediterranean and $3,800 to the east Mediterranean. If successful, these adjustments would nearly double current Asia–Mediterranean spot rates.