For the week ending 13 November 2025, average spot freight rates across major ocean container trade lanes showed declines or stagnation on key routes, reads a Xeneta report.
On the Far East → US West Coast corridor, the rate was approximately USD 2,459 per FEU (40 ft container). The Far East → US East Coast route posted around USD 3,042 per FEU. Far East → North Europe stood near USD 2,258 per FEU, and Far East → Mediterranean about USD 2,840 per FEU. Meanwhile, the North Europe → US East Coast lane came in at around USD 1,570 per FEU.
Capacity trends
Offered capacity (four-week rolling average, 10-16 November) increased across all five major fronthaul trade lanes. Some highlights:
- Far East → US West Coast rose +9.2% week-on-week and +5.0% month-on-month.
- Far East → US East Coast edged up +0.4% week-on-week but was down -2.1% month-on-month.
- Far East → North Europe increased +5.1% week-on-week and +0.3% month-on-month.
- Far East → Mediterranean rose +8.9% week-on-week and +8.0% month-on-month.
- North Europe → US East Coast saw a sharp +21.3% week-on-week increase and +16.2% month-on-month.
Rate movement & Spread analysis
Spot rates on all main fronthaul trades out of the Far East decreased in the past week; the deepest decline was into the US West Coast (-8.8%) and the US East Coast (-4.3%). Rates to Europe also saw mild declines: Far East → Mediterranean dropped -1.8%, and Far East → North Europe fell -1.5%.
On the Transatlantic lane, rates were essentially flat, up a marginal +1.1%. The rate spread between Far East → US West Coast and Far East → US East Coast narrowed to USD 583 per FEU, though it remains well below levels seen a year ago.
Analyst commentary & Outlook
According to Xeneta’s chief analyst, the balance between rising offered capacity and flat or falling spot rates signals that carriers may find it increasingly difficult to maintain rate momentum or successfully implement general rate increases (GRIs). Though recent reports that Red Sea region security issues may ease encourage optimism for shipping volumes, a return to higher demand is not guaranteed. The analyst emphasizes that while November often brings upward rate moves, they may be short-lived if capacity growth continues.
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Source: Xeneta
