The latest weekly market update shows carriers stepping up capacity controls to stabilize ocean container shipping rates across major fronthaul trades. Spot levels remain higher than in early October, even though some lanes from Asia saw declines this month.
Spot Rates as of 27 November 2025
Market averages indicate moderate pressure across key trades:
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Asia–US West Coast: USD 1,958 per FEU
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Asia–US East Coast: USD 2,667 per FEU
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Asia–North Europe: USD 2,335 per FEU
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Asia–Mediterranean: USD 2,941 per FEU
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North Europe–US East Coast: USD 1,585 per FEU
Capacity Shifts Support Carrier Rate Discipline
Four-week rolling averages show mixed movements in offered capacity:
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Asia–US West Coast: -2.5%
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Asia–US East Coast: +1.3%
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Asia–North Europe: +3.1%
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Asia–Mediterranean: +1.4%
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North Europe–US East Coast: -1.7%
This divergence underscores active capacity management, with reductions on some lanes and additions on others.
Far East Trades See Rate Pressure
Spot rates across several Asian fronthauls slipped during the week.
Month-on-month, the steepest declines appeared on the two US-bound routes:
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Asia–US East Coast: -12.7%
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Asia–US West Coast: -9.1%
Meanwhile, the offered capacity increased by nearly 12% on both routes, adding downward pressure.
The rate spread between the two coasts stabilized at USD 710, showing similar market dynamics on both sides.
Europe-Bound Trades Trend Upward
Rates from Asia to Europe moved in the opposite direction.
Month-on-month:
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Asia–Mediterranean: +26.1%
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Asia–North Europe: +18.3%
Capacity changes were modest, rising 0.4% in North Europe and 4.9% in the Mediterranean.
Transatlantic Market Holds Steady
On the Transatlantic, spot rates stayed flat at USD 1,585 per FEU, following a small uptick the previous week.
Capacity dipped by 1.7%, which suggests demand softened at a similar pace.
Market Insight
According to the analyst commentary provided with the data, carriers are pushing hard to control capacity across major routes. Spot rates remain stronger than earlier in the quarter, even with November’s declines on Asia–US trades. This momentum supports carriers as they head toward the upcoming contract tender season.
There is also ongoing discussion around the gradual reintroduction of services through the Red Sea. Backhaul voyages appear to be the first testing ground. However, insurance considerations still create significant challenges.
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Source: XENETA
