International shipping and logistics market update - Week 12/2025

International shipping and logistics market update - Week 12/2025

Drewry's global aggregate container freight rate index in week 12/2025 continued to decrease by 4% to USD 2,264/FEU compared to the previous week. This freight rate index is 59% higher than the average of 2019 before the pandemic (USD 1,420). 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 12/2025 (Photo: Phaata | Source: Drewry)

1. Asia - Northern America route

Ocean freight rates from Asia to the West Coast of North America in week 12/2025 continued to decline sharply by 11.74% compared to the previous week, down to USD 2,564/FEU. This price decreased by 37.63% compared to the previous month, according to Xeneta data.

Demand in March remained stagnant, with no growth since the Lunar New Year. Demand is forecast to be weak and not meet expectations as expected. Meanwhile, shipping capacity remains high, with deployments remaining above 80% from March to April.

Due to oversupply, spot rates in the market continue to trend sharply downward. The spread between fixed and spot rates is narrowing.

Carriers have announced General Rate Increases (GRIs) for April. Meanwhile, peak season surcharges (PSS) have been eliminated by most carriers for the remainder of March.

Container equipment supplies are plentiful, with availability at most Asian origin ports, and no significant shortages are expected in the coming weeks.

US Tariff Update:

We are less than two weeks away from April 2, 2025 — the day President Donald Trump reaffirmed that new reciprocal tariffs will take effect. On that date, Trump will impose a reciprocal tariff on each trading partner that will account for tariffs, non-tariff barriers, currency practices and other factors, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Currently, the 25% tariff applies to all steel and aluminum imports, including derivatives outside of Chapters 73 and 76, regardless of whether they comply with the USMCA or other FTAs ​​(like the KRFTA). In retaliation, Canada and Europe quickly announced their own countermeasures.

President Donald Trump has agreed to exempt Mexico and Canada from the 25% tariff on autos 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.

Asia-US West Coast Freight rate | Week 12/2025 (Image: Phaata.com)

2. Asia - Northern Europe route:

Container freight rates from Asia to Northern Europe continued their downward trend in week 12/2025 fell sharply by 6.90% compared to the previous week, to USD 2,307/FEU. This price is down 17.61% compared to the previous month, according to Xeneta data.

Overall, the market continues to show oversupply. Shipping lines are becoming more competitive to attract cargo. Some cancellations in March have eased the oversupply situation, but have not led to a significant capacity shortage. MSC has reduced the size of vessels on its Lion service on the Asia-North Europe route, reducing capacity by 5,000 TEU per week. However, new fleets, mainly from Hapag-Lloyd, have partly compensated for this.

Capacity in the second half of March remains stable, with no sailings announced for April, although ongoing congestion in Rotterdam, Netherlands is causing some delays. To mitigate the impact of port congestion, transshipment arrangements will be managed at origin. Demand has picked up slightly and with reduced vessel sizes on pre-arrival services, the market is moving towards a more balanced supply-demand balance. There is still room for new bookings overall, but ship failures and delays are still possible.

The Shanghai Container Freight Index (SCFI) fell due to the cancellation of the March GRI, which led to stable rates. The focus has now shifted to the April GRI, with major shipping lines announcing increases while others wait to assess the market situation. Maersk took the lead in announcing the General Rate Increase (GRI) for April, marking the start of a new round of rate increases. The success of the April GRI implementation remains uncertain, largely dependent on market volumes in the second half of March.

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

Asia-Northern Europe Freight rate | Week 12/2025 (Image: Phaata.com)

3. Northern America - Asia route:

The freight rate from North America (West Coast) to Asia in week 12/2025 remained unchanged from the previous week, at USD 617/FEU. This price decreased by 2.99% compared to the previous month, according to Xeneta data.

US West Coast - Asia Freight rate | Week 12/2025 (Image: Phaata.com)

4. Northern Europe-Asia route:

Northern Europe to Asia freight rates in week week 12/2025 increased by 3.70% compared to the previous week, to USD 252/FEU; This price is up 0.40% compared to the previous month, according to Xeneta data.

Northern Europe - Asia Freight rate | Week 12/2025 (Image: Phaata.com)

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See more:

• Why hasn’t the shipping industry returned to the Red Sea?
• Fedex warns of economic uncertainty that will slash freight demand
• Container freight rates plunge, charter rates remain high: Shipping market faces uncertainty
• OOCL sees strong 2024 earnings despite shipping industry challenges
• Air freight market trends Week 10 - 2025 by WorldACD
• Container shipping demand sees strong growth in January
• Drewry predicts new normal for global container rates
• CMA CGM to invest $20 billion to expand shipping, aviation and logistics operations in the US, creating 10,000 jobs
• New US tariffs threaten to reignite inflation: Hargreaves Lansdown
• VLCC offer prices remain high
• Shipping industry on alert as Houthi deadline passes but Gaza aid stalls
• Retail trade groups: 25% Tariffs a burden for American families

Source: Phaata.com

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