- Far East–Europe departure delays reached 12.5 days mid-December
- Capacity diverges between US West Coast and US East Coast trades
- Spot rates increased week-on-week across most major lanes
- Mediterranean rates show strongest month-on-month gains
According to the Xeneta Weekly Ocean Container Shipping Market Update dated 18 December 2025, based on data and intelligence from Xeneta and eeSea, container shipping markets continue to face operational disruption alongside rising spot rates on several major trade lanes.
Far East to Europe: Delays Driven by Congestion
Peter Sand, Xeneta Chief Analyst, said average departure delays on services from the Far East to Europe reached 12.5 days in the week ending 14 December 2025, marking the second-highest level recorded in the past three years.
“Average departure delays on trades from Far East to Europe reached 12.5 days in the week ending 14 December 2025 – the second highest level in three years. This pushed many departures expected for last week into this week, which clearly has knock-on disruption for supply chains.”
Sand stressed that the delays are operational rather than capacity-driven.
“These delays are not caused by carriers blanking sailings – it’s about port congestion and operational inefficiencies. Shippers need to be on top of this and manage the risk of congestion and the potential for containers arriving later than expected.”
He added that shippers planning to adjust inventory strategies in the coming year need to factor in ongoing reliability risks.
“If shippers are looking to move back to just-in-time supply chains in 2026 after a just-in-case approach during the tariff chaos of 2025, they need to manage this risk and ask carriers to deliver on their promises.”
Far East to US West Coast and US East Coast: Capacity Split
Capacity deployment shows contrasting trends between the US coasts. According to Sand, offered capacity from the Far East to the US West Coast is set to increase in January.
“Capacity offered from Far East to US West Coast is expected to increase 10.4% in January compared to December, with blanked capacity decreasing 48.5%.”
By contrast, capacity management on the US East Coast reflects tighter conditions.
“It’s a different story into the US East Coast with 162,219 TEU of blanked capacity announced for the next eight weeks.”
Sand noted structural differences in carrier strategies between the two regions.
“There is a distinct difference in the services offered into US East Coast and US West Coast and the way carriers are managing capacity. This is motivated by underlying stronger demand into the US East Coast, while the US West Coast being more sensitive to US-China geo-political tensions.”
Spot Rate Highlights as of 18 December 2025
Market average spot rates reported by Xeneta were as follows:
- Far East to US West Coast: USD 2,086 per FEU
- Far East to US East Coast: USD 2,982 per FEU
- Far East to North Europe: USD 2,545 per FEU
- Far East to Mediterranean: USD 4,072 per FEU
- North Europe to US East Coast: USD 1,566 per FEU
Offered Capacity Trends (4-Week Rolling Average, w/c 15 December 2025)
- Far East to US West Coast: +0.9% week-on-week
- Far East to US East Coast: +7.2%*
- Far East to North Europe: +19.2%*
- Far East to Mediterranean: +7.4%**
- North Europe to US East Coast: –6.2%
* Many departure delays last week pushed offered capacity into the current week
** Several departure delays last week pushed offered capacity into the current week
Trade Lane Performance Overview
Far East to US West Coast
Week-on-week spot rates rose by USD 366 (+21.3%) to USD 2,086, while capacity increased slightly to 301,668 TEU (+0.9%). Month-on-month rates were up 2.2%, with capacity down 7.0%. Since 1 December 2025, rates increased 5.0%, with capacity marginally lower.
Far East to US East Coast
Week-on-week rates climbed USD 463 (+18.4%) to USD 2,982, alongside a 7.2% capacity increase to 186,898 TEU. Month-on-month, rates rose 8.6% and capacity increased 7.4%. Since 1 December 2025, rates are up 4.8% with capacity up 9.2%.
Far East to North Europe
Rates increased USD 171 (+7.2%) week-on-week to USD 2,545, while capacity surged 19.2% to 334,289 TEU. Month-on-month figures show similar rate gains and a 20.4% rise in capacity. Since early December, capacity is up more than 21%.
Far East to Mediterranean
Week-on-week rates rose sharply by USD 647 (+18.9%) to USD 4,072, with capacity up 7.4%. Month-on-month rates jumped 38.0%, while capacity increased 8.6%. Since 1 December, rates are up 18.4% and capacity up 26.1%.
North Europe to US East Coast
Rates remained flat week-on-week at USD 1,566, while capacity declined 6.2% to 46,773 TEU. Month-on-month and since 1 December figures show modest rate declines alongside continued capacity reductions.
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Source: Xeneta
