Opportunism by shipping lines sees shipping rates jump

With a large portfolio of international container shipping services for LCL and FCL cargoes, U-Freight notes that global container shipping rates have surged since the turn of the new year.

In the week to January 8th, Drewry’s composite World Container Index rose 16% to USD2,557 per feu, driven largely by sharp increases on Transpacific and Asia-Europe trades.

Analysts at Drewry say the rally may prove short-lived, noting that the hikes appear to be opportunistic moves by shipping lines despite soft cargo demand.

The biggest gains were seen on China–North America routes. Spot rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles jumped 26% to USD3,132 per feu, while Shanghai–New York climbed 20% to USD3,957 per feu. Asia–Europe lanes also recorded solid increases, with Shanghai–Genoa up 13% to USD3,885 per feu and Shanghai–Rotterdam rising 10% to USD2,840 per feu.

The increases coincide with the rollout of higher Freight All Kinds (FAK) rates and a noticeable injection of capacity. Asia–North America services expanded 7–10% month-over-month, while Asia–North Europe and Mediterranean routes saw capacity growth of 5–7% in January. But forwarders report weak volumes out of Asia to the U.S., raising doubts about how long carriers will be able to hold the line on pricing.

As 2026 begins, the container market remains fragile. With broader U.S.–China trade measures looming, tariff decisions pending, and Red Sea security risks unresolved, carriers may find it difficult to sustain the latest rate push if demand fails to recover.

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