- Far East to US West Coast Rate Jumps 33% Since Early October.
- Transpacific Spot Rates Stabilise After Mid-October Spike.
- Europe-Bound Fronthauls Rise but Remain Below Long-Term Averages.
As of October 23, 2025, the average spot rates for major shipping routes are showing some interesting fluctuations. For instance, the rate from the Far East to the US West Coast is currently at USD 2,044 per FEU, while the Far East to the US East Coast is a bit higher at USD 2,953 per FEU. If we look at the rates heading to Northern Europe, they sit at USD 1,976 per FEU, and those going to the Mediterranean are at USD 2,367 per FEU. Meanwhile, the North Europe to US East Coast route averages around USD 1,581 per FEU. These rates saw a significant jump in mid-October and have held steady over the past week, marking a turnaround from the steady decline we observed since mid-September, reports Xeneta.
Transpacific Rates See Largest Increase
The average spot rate from the Far East to the US West Coast has surged by 33.4% since October 9, reaching levels we haven’t seen since mid-September. Carriers have been implementing blank sailings throughout October to keep capacity just below what it was in September. The rate from the Far East to the US East Coast has also climbed by 20.9% compared to two weeks ago, returning to mid-September levels. It seems that rates for both US coasts have stabilised after the surge in mid-October. The gap between the two coasts has remained steady at about USD 909, suggesting similar market conditions.
Spot rates are now nearly in line with long-term averages:
- Far East to US West Coast: USD 2,044 per FEU (long-term average USD 2,013)
- Far East to US East Coast: USD 2,953 per FEU (long-term average USD 3,070)
Europe-Bound Fronthauls and Spread Changes
Average spot rates from the Far East to the Mediterranean and North Europe have increased by 9.8% and 18%, respectively, compared to two weeks ago, although they are slightly down from last week (-1.4% and -1.3%). The spread between Europe-bound fronthauls has tightened to USD 391, returning to levels we saw at the end of August. This change is primarily due to a 5.7% drop in rates to the Mediterranean since September 16, while rates to Northern Europe have risen by 3% during the same timeframe.
Transatlantic Rates Plateau
On the Transatlantic route, short-term rates have plateaued compared to last week, down 2.6% from two weeks ago and 44.6% from a year ago.
Analyst Insights
Peter Sand, Xeneta Chief Analyst: “The spot rate spike in mid-October on European-bound fronthauls should be good news for carriers, but they won’t be celebrating too much because it is not enough to bring it above the long-term rates. This plays into the hands of shippers who must be considering pushing contract negotiations back into Q1 next year. A long-term market higher than a short-term market is an extremely powerful negotiating position for shippers – why would they lock into a new 12-month contract at those levels?”
Xeneta analyst insight – US: “The average long term rate is almost on par with spot rates on Transpacific trades, which in isolation should be a good position for shippers. We do not live in normal times, though, and shippers are braced for further geopolitical turmoil. In addition to USTR port fees coming into effect this month, China has announced retaliatory port fees of its own, and Trump has threatened a further 100% tariff on imports from China. This uncertainty is deeply unhelpful for shippers. Some people may say Trump’s 100% tariff threat is a negotiating tactic and will not become reality – but what if it does? It has the potential to cause further chaos for shippers who have already experienced so much tariff pain.”
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Source: Xeneta
