Container spot rates jump 12% as carriers regain pricing power

By Admin

19 Dec, 2025

Introduction
Global container shipping markets witnessed a sharp rebound this week as spot rates climbed 12%, signaling that carriers are regaining pricing power across key trade routes. The latest data from the Drewry World Container Index highlights a sudden turnaround after recent softness, underlining the ongoing volatility in the container shipping sector.

Global rates see strong weekly rebound
According to Drewry, global container shipping rates rose to $2,182 per 40-foot container, marking the third consecutive week of increases. This recovery comes after a period of decline, particularly on the Transpacific routes, and reflects improved carrier control over capacity and pricing.

Transpacific routes lead the recovery
The Transpacific headhaul routes were the main drivers of this week’s rebound. Rates from Shanghai to New York surged 19% to $3,293 per container, while Shanghai to Los Angeles rates climbed 18% to $2,474. This is a notable reversal from the previous week, when Transpacific spot rates had dropped to their second-lowest level since January 2025.

Interestingly, the rate hike occurred despite carriers announcing 10 blank sailings for the coming week on the Transpacific trade lane. This suggests that underlying demand remains more resilient than the cancelled sailings would typically imply.

Asia-Europe lanes maintain upward momentum
Asia-Europe trade lanes also showed consistent strength. Spot rates from Shanghai to Genoa jumped 10% to $3,314 per container, while Shanghai to Rotterdam increased 8% to $2,539. These routes have now recorded stable or rising rates for three consecutive weeks, indicating sustained market confidence.

Drewry notes that this trend reflects a deeper structural change in seasonal demand patterns. Over the past three years, December has seen double-digit month-on-month demand growth, establishing strong year-end volumes as what the consultancy describes as “the new normal.”

Early bookings and Lunar New Year impact
With the Lunar New Year scheduled for February 2026, carriers are already benefiting from early cargo bookings. This advance demand is supporting current rate levels and has led Drewry to forecast further slight increases in spot rates in the coming week.

A sharp contrast to last week’s market conditions
The current market strength stands in sharp contrast to conditions observed just a week earlier. On December 11, the Drewry index showed Transpacific rates continuing to decline even as Asia-Europe lanes strengthened. At that time, Shanghai to Los Angeles rates had fallen 7% to $2,103 per container, with carriers struggling to fill vessels despite increasing blank sailings.

Drewry’s Container Capacity Insight had described the situation as a “fundamental volume problem,” noting that most Christmas-related cargo had already been shipped in November, limiting available demand in December.

Conclusion
The swift reversal in container spot rates within just one week highlights the high level of volatility that continues to define the global container shipping market. Shifting seasonal demand patterns, aggressive capacity management, early festive bookings, and ongoing geopolitical disruptions across major trade routes are all contributing to rapid changes in market sentiment. For shippers and carriers alike, agility and close monitoring of market signals remain essential in navigating this unpredictable environment.