A small decline in Asia-U.S. West Coast pricing provided the primary signal of softening trans-Pacific container charges since mid-September, in line with Xeneta.
Spot charges from Asia to Europe additionally continued to fall in early October, the analyst stated in an replace, giving European shippers larger leverage in annual contract negotiations.
Trans-Pacific reveals first small dip
Far East-U.S. West Coast spot charges fell $2 per FEU on Oct. 7, the primary each day decline in weeks.
“It’s a marginal transfer, however the first dip since mid-September,” Xeneta Chief Analyst Peter Sand stated.
Regardless of that decline, West Coast charges remained 1.1% above their Sept. 30 stage at $8,336 per FEU. Asia-U.S. East Coast charges averaged $11,512 per FEU, up 0.5% over the week.
On the trans-Atlantic commerce, North Europe-U.S. East Coast spot charges declined 1.1% week over week to $2,854 per FEU.
The Mediterranean has recorded the steepest decline because the post-Hormuz disaster peak in July. Market-average spot charges on the commerce have fallen 43% since July 1, in contrast with a 34% decline from the Far East to North Europe, Sand stated.
“The tempo of the decline has eased slightly, however charges are nonetheless elevated and the development continues to be downward, so we’re not on the ground but,” Sand stated.
As of Oct. 7, Asia-Mediterranean spot charges averaged $4,007 per 40-foot container, or FEU, down 5.9% from Sept. 30. Far East-North Europe charges averaged $3,645 per FEU, down 2.5% over the identical interval.
Europe-bound fee hole narrows
The sharper Mediterranean decline has compressed the premium over North Europe to roughly $400 per FEU, beneath the roughly $500 unfold recorded on Oct. 1, 2025, and effectively beneath the $2,000 hole reached on Jan. 1, 2026, Sand stated. The Oct. 7 market averages put the distinction at $362.
“The unfold between the Mediterranean and North Europe reveals that no two trades are alike and that volatility differs relying on the place you ship from and to,” he stated.
Sand stated service rerouting away from the Suez Canal route round Africa could assist clarify the pricing relationship. The diversion has lengthened journeys into the Mediterranean in contrast with North Europe, though North Europe traditionally has been the dearer vacation spot.
Falling short-term charges are arriving as European shippers negotiate long-term contracts, that are additionally benchmarked towards the spot market.
“For European shippers, tender season is in full drive and falling short-term charges are a welcome growth as they negotiate long-term contracts,” Sand stated.
Demand has remained robust all year long, notably into Europe, however couldn’t proceed rising at double-digit charges indefinitely, he stated. As demand eases from a excessive stage, competitors for vessel capability is diminishing, bettering negotiating situations for shippers.
“Even freight forwarders at the moment are getting higher offers from carriers in long-term contract negotiations,” Sand stated.
Learn extra articles by Editor right here.
Learn extra:
World container volumes hit document 17.46 million TEUs
Samsung seeks $186M from CMA CGM in container prices dispute
Zim lifts revenue forecast 72% on robust demand
New submarine plant deliberate at Baltimore multimodal hub
The publish US West Coast container charges edge decrease appeared first on BigRig.