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Spot Rate Market Flat Through October, Xeneta

[ November 1, 2025   //   ]

Average container market spot rates from the Far East to U.S. was flat on all five main front-hauls the week of Oct. 31, and remain so against levels seen in mid-October, said Xeneta, the freight rate benchmarking and market analytics platform.

Compared to September, average Far East-to-U.S. West Coast spot rates from Far East to U.S. West and East coasts have increased the most out of the fronthaul trades. The highest volatility is seen into the U.S. West Coast, rising 31.4 percent, while U.S. East Coast spot rates are up 18.2 percent, Xeneta said.

Year-to-date, average spot rates from Far East are down 49 percent to the U.S. East Coast and 55 percent into West Coast compared to Dec. 31, 2024.

“The 12-month trade truce between the U.S. and China announced [the week of Oct. 31], including the lowering of tariffs and removal of port fees, could prompt some shippers into action but it is unlikely to spark a surge in imports. Many shippers did their work earlier in the year frontloading goods, now inventories are high they will be in no rush to take advantage of lower tariffs,” said Peter Sand, chief analyst, Xeneta.

“Once again, the container shipping industry is having to react to chaotic and unpredictable geopolitical games. Removal of port fees is positive news for carriers, but they have already carried out the disruptive work to rearrange services to reduce the financial impact of these new levies – in that sense the damage has already been done,” Sand said.

Average spot rates from Far East to North Europe are up 10.4 percent from 30 September. However, taking a longer view, Far East to North Europe spot rates register the largest drop across the major front-hauls since the end of last year – declining 61 percent from US$5,037 per FEU to US$1,964 per FEU.

“Another uptick in spot rates from Far East to North Europe is expected on Nov. 1, bringing it on par with the average long-term rate on this trade. We also saw spikes on this trade on 1 Nov. 1, 2024, and Nov. 1, 2023, following periods of decline,” he said. The results are likely due to carriers using smart capacity

Average spot rate from North Europe to the U.S. East Coast is down 10.1 percent compared to one month ago and by 44 percent compared to Jan. 1, Xeneta said.

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