Container shipping markets opened 2026 with significantly higher spot rates from East Asia to US East Coast, even as US container imports ended 2025 slightly below 2024. Early January updates from major carriers show service adjustments and limited idling of container ships as they create tight yet reshaping capacity landscape.
Late December 2025 saw CMA CGM's Jacques Saade transit the Suez Canal after nearly two years, signalling potential container ship returns to Red Sea routes. China also converted civilian vessels into missile arsenal ships for military use while Northern Sea Route saw record container transits and MPCC ordered six new feeder ships for delivery by 2028.
Over the past week, container shipping experienced several critical incidents. These included the controlled fire on ONE Henry Hudson's return to Los Angeles, as well as crew abandonment after a Red Sea explosion aboard Hong Kong-flagged vessel from Hong Kong-flagged vessel Hong Kong-flagged. Northern Sea Route recorded 15 container transits with seasonal gains for 2025 via 2025 Northern Sea Route as newbuilding orders hit 600 vessels year-on-year; plus Suez Canal returns could soon follow for major lines.
In the past week investigators detailed how improper wire label application led to blackout and allision at Dali Island, while authorities in Los Angeles continued recovery operations after hazardous cargo fire on board ONE Henry Hudson. These high-profile container ship incidents demonstrate persistent vulnerabilities in electrical systems, port safety and infrastructure resilience.
A Hong Kong flagged container ship faced an explosion and fire while transiting northbound in the Red Sea this week, and the crew reportedly abandoned ship leaving it adrift off Yemen. “The incident underscores lingering perils for both security and environmental protections for container shipping in this corridor—and amidst the industry's attempts to gradually restore Suez routings. “The ASL Bauhinia experienced an explosion and resultant fire that caused a floater to have to abandon ship. However, there is no indication of the root of this incident or confirmation of vessel tracking,” commented one container shipping risk expert.
The ONE Henry Hudson container ship returned to its berth in Los Angeles on 26 November after firefighting efforts contained a fire that started on 21 November. Cargo inspection and discharge are continuing at this time, with salvage crews identifying containers as fire damaged, water damaged, or undamaged.
November 2025 saw two incidents involving container ships; the National Transportation Safety Board released a report on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge due to the crew of the Dali boxship, and ONE Henry Hudson facing a severe cargo fire in Port of Los Angeles.