Containership charter market performance ended 2025 strongly, with one-year time charter rates showing strength across most vessel sizes despite tight supply conditions.
Feeder Segment Showing Mixed Resilience
Rates in the feeder market spanning 0.1 to 3.9k TEU saw mixed performances but overall strength. One-year T/C rates for 2.1k TEU Non-Eco feeders rose 1.4% between mid-November and December, reaching US$30,100 per day; conversely 1.1k TEU Non-Eco feeders declined 4.8% daily to US$15,800 daily; MSI's December Horizon Monthly Containership Report projects rate increases on intra-Asia routes due to limited fleet growth early 2026 in order to keep this market healthy in short term.
Midsize Vessels Show Promise in Meeting High Standards of Safety and Stability
Midsize cargo vessel rates closed the year on an upswing for vessels between 3.9 to 7.6k TEU. One-year T/C rates on non-Eco Classic Panamax vessels rising 0.7% month-on-month reached US$56,000 per day with discounts available for longer term contracts; extensions on older vessels were around US$35,000 per day. Though early 2026 may see volume declines, limited deliveries should limit downside and MSI forecasted only slight softening in first half.
Large Containerships Reach Multi-Year Highs
Large vessels over 7.6k TEU experienced increased charter earnings, with one-year T/C rates for 8.5k TEU Non-Eco vessels hitting US$76,500 per day and Eco versions reaching US$90,000. These rates represent their highest levels since October 2022 - almost twice what November 2023 witnessed as its low point - though MSI anticipates some leveling off during 2026 due to weakening demand and nearly 450,000 TEU of new capacity in H1 being offset in part by strong U.S. imports from Southeast Asia resulting in some cases.
Spot Freight Rates Hold Steady in Light of Holiday Slowdown
Transpacific ocean freight spot rates remained stable during the week ending December 29, 2025, with China to U.S. West Coast rates remaining flat between $2,800 to $3,000 per FEU on West Coast lanes while East Coast lanes saw rates between $3,500 and $3,700 per FEU on each lane. Carriers held onto pricing despite weak volumes and holiday inactivity to position for January pre-Chinese New Year peaks and 2026 contract leverage.
Multipurpose Heavy Lift Rates Are Rising
Toepfer Transport reported an average daily time charter rate for F-type heavy lift vessels of 12,500dwt at USD12,818 as of December's start - marking a modest rise from previous months' rates and reflecting positive market sentiment with stable secondhand and newbuilding prices supporting this sector.
Broader Market Outlook
Overall, the container charter market looks set to close 2025 strong outside of COVID's boom period driven by sustained demand. Record newbuild contracting in 2024-2025 and 2026 deliveries signal potential future pressures on rates.