Xeneta has reported that global spot container rates are still falling, as carrier efforts to curb the decline through capacity cuts struggle against persistent overcapacity and weak demand.
As of 7 August 2025, average spot container rates continue to decline on key shipping lanes out of the Far East, though the rate of decrease has slowed on some trades.
The Transpacific route from the Far East to the US West Coast fell 3 per cent from 31 July to $2,098 per forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU), continuing a broader downward trend of 62 per cent since 1 June.
Rates to the US East Coast dropped 9 per cent in the same period to $3,311 per FEU, now 53 per cent below mid-June levels.
To curb this decline, carriers have increased blanked sailings on the Far East–US West Coast route, with a four-week rolling average rising from 30,000 TEU per week on 22 June to 57,000 TEU by 1 August.
READ: Container spot rates see sharp declines on key trade lanes
Far East to North Europe spot rates held relatively stable, down 2 per cent since 1 July to $3,330 per FEU, after surging 78 per cent between late May and early July.
Rates to the Mediterranean slipped 7 per cent since 31 July to $3,372 per FEU, down 26 per cent from mid-June.
The rate spread between the North Europe and Mediterranean routes has narrowed to just $42 per FEU, down from $1,765 on 1 June.
North Europe to US East Coast rates stand at $2,015 per FEU.
Peter Sand, Xeneta Chief Analyst, said: “Carriers have taken action to arrest the plummeting average spot rates on the Transpacific trade to the US West Coast through strong capacity management, with blanked sailings now almost double the level in mid-June.
“The dramatic spot rate decline has slowed in August so the stronger capacity management is having some success for carriers, but this is limited and not enough to stop the downward trajectory in coming months”
