TL;DR: Far East to U.S. East Coast spot rates reached $11,259 per FEU on 17 September, just 11.2% below the all-time record of $12,683 set on 1 January 2022. Transpacific spot rates have surged between 323% and 325% since late February, depending on trade lane, driven by the Strait of Hormuz conflict and port congestion across South East Asia. Asia-Europe rates are falling sharply from July peaks as more vessels resume Red Sea transits. A further rate push is expected in early October ahead of China’s Golden Week.

Transpacific container freight is back in record-proximity territory. Far East to U.S. East Coast spot rates hit $11,259 per FEU on 17 September. Far East to U.S. West Coast reached $7,960 per FEU on the same date. These figures represent increases of approximately 323.6% (West Coast) and nearly 324.7% (East Coast) since late February, before the Hormuz crisis disrupted global shipping markets.

The East Coast rate now sits just 11.2% below its all-time high of $12,683 per FEU – a record that dates to 1 January 2022, a moment when pandemic-era supply-chain stress was at its most acute, following months of escalating through the second half of 2021. Xeneta Chief Analyst Peter Sand commented on the significance of the current levels:

“If a freight rate record is broken, it is most likely to occur on the trade into U.S. East Coast. But even if we do not see a new all-time high, the fact we are even discussing the possibility demonstrates how sensitive critical ocean container shipping trades are to geopolitical forces and how a regional conflict in the Middle East can have major implications at a global level.”

Peter Sand, Xeneta Chief Analyst

Hormuz Crisis and Port Congestion Drive Transpacific Surge

The stems from the Hormuz crisis, which has reshaped global ocean capacity since late February. The effects are not confined to routes through the Middle East. Congestion at major transshipment hubs, including Singapore and Port Klang, is compounding delays across all east-west trades. As Peter Sand has noted, port is toxic for supply chains, especially at transshipment hubs with global significance.

Carriers have responded with active capacity management. On the Far East to U.S. East Coast route, carriers are adding capacity, with September offerings running 6% to 7% above August levels. Sand described the dynamic directly:

“Carriers are seizing the opportunity while the market is hot. Adding capacity into U.S. East Coast ahead of what could be a turn in the market.”

Peter Sand, Xeneta Chief Analyst

Asia-Europe Rates Retreat as Red Sea Transits Return

Asia-Europe tells a different story. Asia-North Europe rates fell 15% week-on-week to approximately $3,700 per FEU, down sharply from a July peak near $6,000 per FEU. Asia-Mediterranean dropped 7% to around $3,900 per FEU, after exceeding $7,000 per FEU in July. The Mediterranean retreat is steeper, with more vessels resuming Red Sea transits on that lane, increasing effective capacity. Suez route transits increased in August, adding further downward pressure on Asia-Europe capacity, according to industry data.

North Europe faces additional constraints. Congestion at regional hubs and a potential strike by the Verdi union at German ports – a risk flagged in forward-looking industry reports for October 2026, drawn from a separate reporting period – are factors that carriers are monitoring. Despite the rate falls, Asia-North Europe remains roughly $1,000 per FEU above mid-May levels. Drewry confirmed this as the seventh consecutive week of divergent trends between Transpacific and Asia-Europe trades.

$11,259Far East to U.S. East Coast spot rate per FEU, 17 September
~323-325%Rate increase on Transpacific lanes since late February
11.2%Below the all-time East Coast record of $12,683 per FEU

Golden Week Creates One More Rate Push Window

Pre-Golden Week demand is giving carriers further support on Transpacific. Shippers are accelerating cargo exports out of Asia before Chinese factories shut down, and carriers are managing capacity in anticipation of softer volumes once the holiday period begins.

Sand forecast one more significant rate movement:

“We should expect one more freight rate push at the start of October as shippers rush cargo out of Asia ahead of the Golden Week shutdown. Before rates start to soften, or at least the pace of growth will slow.”

Peter Sand, Xeneta Chief Analyst

Long-term contract rates are also moving. Xeneta recorded increases of 41% on Far East to U.S. West Coast and North Europe routes since late February, and 40% to U.S. East Coast. Far East to Mediterranean long-term rates rose 17% over the same period. The spot-to-contract spread on Far East to U.S. West Coast now stands at $4,103 per FEU above the long-term rate – a separate metric from the current Far East-North Europe spot rate, which coincidentally also stands at $4,103 per FEU – strengthening carriers’ negotiating positions significantly.

CSN Industry Perspective

Rate volatility at this level creates real pressure for independent freight forwarders. Spot rates on Transpacific lanes are now running $4,103 per FEU above long-term contract levels. For SME forwarders buying spot capacity and quoting to their clients, the margin between purchase and sale can shift within days. Speed to quote and access to live, comparable rates are not a convenience. They are a competitive requirement.

The divergence between Transpacific and Asia-Europe is equally important to track. Forwarders with clients shipping on both corridors are managing two very different cost environments simultaneously. CSN members access live multi-lane rate comparison and direct booking tools – built for independent freight forwarders. Compare live freight rates across all trade lanes on CSN to stay ahead of the market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why have Asia-US container rates surged so sharply?

The Strait of Hormuz conflict disrupted global shipping markets in late February, forcing carriers to reroute vessels and absorb capacity losses. Combined with congestion at transshipment hubs in South East Asia, Transpacific spot rates rose over 323% from pre-crisis levels by mid-September.

How close are current rates to pandemic-era records?

Far East to U.S. East Coast rates reached $11,259 per FEU on 17 September, sitting just 11.2% below the all-time record of $12,683 set on 1 January 2022. The West Coast rate of $7,960 per FEU is 17.9% below its peak of $9,699 per FEU. During the pandemic, Asia-West Coast rates exceeded $20,000 per FEU in September 2021 at the height of the pandemic.

Why are Asia-Europe rates falling while Transpacific rates rise?

More vessels are resuming Red Sea transits, particularly on the Mediterranean lane, increasing effective capacity. Suez transits increased in August, contributing to downward pressure on Asia-Europe rates. Weaker demand relative to Transpacific is also contributing. Asia-North Europe fell 15% week-on-week and Asia-Mediterranean fell 7%, though both remain above mid-May levels.

Will rates continue rising after Golden Week?

Analysts expect one more rate push in early October as shippers accelerate cargo ahead of China’s Golden Week factory closures. After that, the pace of rate growth is expected to slow. Carriers are also adding East Coast capacity in anticipation of a potential market turn, which could soften rates once Golden Week demand passes.

How are long-term contract rates being affected?

Xeneta recorded long-term rate increases of 41% on Far East to U.S. West Coast and North Europe routes since late February, and 40% to U.S. East Coast. The spot-to-contract spread on Far East to U.S. West Coast now stands at $4,103 per FEU above the long-term rate, giving carriers significant in contract negotiations.

Cargo Solutions Network gives independent freight forwarders access to live rates, multi-lane comparison, and direct booking tools. When the market moves this fast, you need a quoting tool that keeps pace.

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