International shipping and logistics market update - Week 11/2025

International shipping and logistics market update - Week 11/2025

The Drewry Global Composite Container Freight Index in the week 11/2025 continued to decline sharply by 7% to 2,368 USD/FEU compared to the previous week. This freight rate index is 67% higher than the average of 2019 before the pandemic (1,420 USD). This downward trend reflects the lingering impact of weak demand after the Lunar New Year and concerns about overcapacity.

Drewry’s World Container Index Week 11/2025 (Photo: Phaata | Source: Drewry)

1. Asia - Northern America route

Ocean freight rates from Asia to the West Coast of North America in week 11/2025 continued to decrease by 5.41% compared to the previous week, down to USD 2,905/FEU. This price is down 40.71% compared to the previous month, according to Xeneta data.

Demand in March remained stagnant, with no growth since the Lunar New Year. Shipping capacity has almost fully recovered (nearly 100%).

Spot rates in the market continue to trend down steadily. The gap between fixed and spot rates is narrowing, due to falling spot rates and abundant capacity. This has led many shipping lines to reduce or eliminate Peak Season Surcharges (PSS).

Container equipment supplies are plentiful, available at most Asian export ports, and there are no significant shortages expected in the coming weeks.

US tariff update:

Starting Wednesday, 25% tariffs will apply to all steel and aluminum imports, including derivatives outside of Chapters 73 and 76, regardless of whether they comply with USMCA or other FTAs ​​(such as the KRFTA). In retaliation, Canada and Europe quickly announced their own countermeasures.

Last week, President Donald Trump agreed to exempt autos from the 25% tariffs imposed on Mexico and Canada for one month. More than one-fifth of cars and light trucks sold in the United States are made in Canada or Mexico, according to S&P Global Mobility. The tariffs could push the price of some models as high as $12,200.

President Trump previously announced that he could impose 25% tariffs on autos, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors as early as April 2, 2025. However, it is unclear whether the tariffs will apply to all imported vehicles or target specific countries. If implemented, the new tariffs could have a significant impact on major auto exporters to the US, including Mexico, Japan, and Canada.

Asia-US West Coast Freight rate | Week 11/2025 (Image: Phaata.com)

2. Asia - Northern Europe route:

Container freight rates from Asia to Northern Europe continued their downward trend in week 11/2025 fell sharply by 8.39% compared to the previous week, to $2,478/FEU. This price is down 21.06% compared to the previous month, according to Xeneta data.

In early March, total vessel utilization was lower than initially expected. The flat market prompted carriers to cancel plans to apply the March GRI, instead looking to increase competition for cargo. Some sailing cancellations in March have eased the oversupply situation slightly, but have not resulted in a significant capacity shortage. Overall, the market continues to show oversupply.

In week 11, there was little change in capacity and no new announcements of cancellations for April. MSC has scaled back its Lion service on the Asia-North Europe trade, reducing capacity by 5,000 TEU per week. However, new fleets, mainly from Hapag-Lloyd, have partially offset this. Overall, the changes in March capacity have been minor.

Maersk has taken the lead in announcing a General Rate Increase (GRI) for April, marking the start of a new round of rate increases. However, the success of this GRI depends on market trends in late March.

Generally, a GRI signals a potential long-term cost increase, prompting carriers to accelerate shipments and push up rates. However, given current demand trends, the cargo growth momentum may not be sufficient and if demand does not pick up by mid-March, the GRI may not be implemented, as it has this month.

Congestion at destination ports is causing delays and accelerating the process of reducing inventories. If inventory levels reach a critical point soon, the market could recover.

Phaata recommends that shippers accelerate their shipments to take advantage of the current low rates and minimize the possibility of rate increases.

Asia-Northern Europe Freight rate | Week 11/2025 (Image: Phaata.com)

3. Northern America - Asia route:

The freight rate from North America (West Coast) to Asia in week 11/2025 continued to decrease by 1.59% compared to the previous week, to USD 617/FEU. This price is down 4.64% compared to the previous month, according to Xeneta data.

US West Coast - Asia Freight rate | Week 11/2025 (Image: Phaata.com)

4. Northern Europe-Asia route:

Northern Europe to Asia freight rates in week week 11/2025 increased by 1.67% compared to the previous week, to USD 243/FEU; this price is down 1.62% compared to the previous month, according to Xeneta data.

Northern Europe - Asia Freight rate | Week 11/2025 (Image: Phaata.com)

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Source: Phaata.com

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