Transpacific container shipping rates saw drastic rate increases this past week as pre-Lunar New Year demand narrowed Asia-US lanes and tightened capacity on key routes. Freightos reported double-digit percentage increases to US West Coast locations while analysts pointed out aggressive blank sailings and frontloading by carriers; retailers still anticipate subdued import volumes despite any seasonal surge.
Container shipping rates on key China-US lanes remained at elevated levels during the week ending December 29th 2025 despite holiday lull and weak cargo volumes, according to carriers defending pricing ahead of Chinese New Year and 2026 contract negotiations, while US import forecasts predict declines due to tariffs and economic caution. Asia-Europe bookings surged sharply this month.
Container freight markets experienced gradual improvement during the week ending December 29th 2025, driven by carrier blank sailings on Trans-Pacific routes and initial Suez Canal transits by Maersk Sebarok and CMA CGM Jacques Saade. Spot rates also rose on key indices with Asia-Europe bookings increasing and steady US port operations supporting year-end flows ahead of Lunar New Year celebrations.
Container carriers remain "firm" on transpacific rate stability; January capacity up 13% to US West Coast. Maersk completes its first Suez Canal transit in two years, indicating a cautious resumption of traffic through the Red Sea corridor. Asia-Europe bookings soar as inland networks face railcar shortages and driver constraints moving toward 2026.
Container shipping seemed to enter December in fairly rude health, having started the month with Suez Canal transits being restarted under the leadership of Maersk and CMA CGM, perhaps bringing much-needed stability to the over-heated Asia-Europe lanes, although some short-term volatility might remain. Drewry said its World Container Index rose on December 11 by another 2% to $1957 per 40ft container despite US import volumes continuing to show decline and the completed Houthi attacks in Israel-Jordan suspected by some of relieving some rate pressure; on top of that Black Sea risks and the EU ETS surcharges added even more confusion.
Over the past week, freight rates in container shipping markets received another boost from spot general rate increases, uncertainty around Red Sea and Suez Canal return dates and operational disruptions stemming from exposure to weather and labor risks. Carriers and ports are both grappling with capacity deployment, inland bottlenecks, and investments against a quirkily entrenched global demand backdrop.