The latest market intelligence from Xeneta, the leading ocean freight rate benchmarking and market analytics platform, shows further declines in global container freight spot rates as extended tariff pauses ease demand volatility.
Key Market Highlights (13 August 2025)
Far East to US West Coast: USD 2,018 per FEU
Far East to US East Coast: USD 3,174 per FEU
Far East to North Europe: USD 3,247 per FEU
Far East to Mediterranean: USD 3,337 per FEU
North Europe to US East Coast: USD 1,941 per FEU
The Far East to US West Coast trade now averages just above USD 2,000 per FEU – the lowest level since late 2023, when the Red Sea crisis escalated. Despite a steep drop in June, the current 6% month-on-month fall in rates marks a slower pace of decline, with carriers managing capacity more effectively and avoiding sudden demand surges tied to tariff uncertainty.
A further 90-day extension of paused higher tariffs on US–China trade, now running into early November, has helped stabilise the market. However, no immediate cargo rush is expected, as shippers have already frontloaded goods during the initial tariff reprieve.
Trade Lane Trends
US East Coast: Down 12.8% (USD 464 per FEU) since end-July – the second-steepest fall after South America’s 18.3% decline.
Far East to Mediterranean: Down 8.2% since 31 July. Rates may fall further if expected capacity increases materialise and demand fails to rise.
Expert Insight
Peter Sand, Chief Analyst at Xeneta, commented:
“The further 90-day extension of current tariff levels between the US and China will not have a significant impact on shippers, and we should not expect another cargo rush as seen after the initial lowering of tariffs in mid-May.
“Shippers have already taken advantage of the first 90-day window to frontload goods – the pent-up demand is gone. Spot rates are therefore expected to decline in the coming weeks as capacity grows. The challenge is not limited to US-bound trades; increased capacity from the Far East to North Europe and the Mediterranean could put similar downward pressure on rates.”
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