International shipping and logistics market update - Week 15/2025

Update on the international container transport and logistics market for routes from Asia to North America, Europe... in Week 15/2025.

International shipping and logistics market update - Week 15/2025

Drewry's global composite container freight rate index for Week 15/2025 increased by 3% to USD 2,265/FEU compared to the previous week. This freight rate index is 59% higher than the average of 2019 before the pandemic (USD 1,420).

Drewry’s World Container Index Week 15/2025

Drewry’s World Container Index Week 15/2025 (Photo: Phaata | Source: Drewry)

1. Asia - Northern America route

Ocean freight rates from Asia to the West Coast of North America continued to decline in week 15/2025 decreased slightly by 0.27% compared to the previous week, to $2,948/FEU. This is down 0.71% compared to the previous month, according to Xeneta data.

Shipping capacity has been significantly reduced in April, with around 20% of market capacity curtailed due to increased blank sailings. In addition, some services have been changed or suspended, further reducing available space.

The recent US tariff hike is starting to have a significant impact on demand in week 15 and is expected to continue to do so. This suggests a potential reduction in shipping volumes and an increase in the number of blank sailings in the near future.

Floating freight rates have been extended through April. Peak season surcharges will not apply in April.

Container equipment availability remains adequate at most Asian origin ports, with no major shortages anticipated in the near term.

Asia-US West Coast Freight rate | Week 15/2025

Asia-US West Coast Freight rate | Week 15/2025 (Image: Phaata.com)

US Tariff Update:

On April 9, President Donald Trump announced a 90-day moratorium on country-by-country tariffs on all trading partners except China — less than 24 hours after they were implemented. This means that all other countries (except China) have now returned to the universal base tariff of 10%, which was initially set on April 5, during the pause.

However, China now faces a tariff rate of 125%, up from the 84% rate that took effect on April 9.

In response to the escalating tariffs imposed by the United States, China announced reciprocal tariffs of 84% on US goods, effective April 10. Meanwhile, the European Union is suspending retaliatory tariffs after President Trump reversed his country-by-country reciprocal tariff policy.

On the same day, the White House also issued an Executive Order titled “Restoring American Maritime Dominance,” outlining a strategy to rebuild US commercial shipbuilding capacity and strengthen the maritime workforce.

A key part of the Executive Order is aimed at closing a loophole in how the Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) is applied. The HMF is a fee that helps maintain U.S. ports and waterways. However, many shippers have avoided this fee by unloading cargo at ports in Canada or Mexico, then trucking or rail-shipping the cargo into the United States instead of shipping directly to U.S. ports. This alternative allows them to bypass the fee, even though the cargo still arrives in the United States.

The Executive Order is attempting to close this loophole, so that shippers cannot avoid the fee simply by using non-U.S. ports and crossing the border by land.

All foreign-origin cargo arriving by vessel must clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at a U.S. port of entry for a full assessment of duties, taxes, and fees, including the HMF.

To address this issue, the order directs the Department of Homeland Security to ensure the following:

- All foreign-origin cargo arriving by vessel must clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at a U.S. port of entry, where the cargo will be subject to all duties, taxes, and fees—including the Port Maintenance Fee (HMF).

- Foreign cargo entering North America through Canada or Mexico and then transported into the United States by land will be subject to the same fee, plus a 10% service charge to cover additional CBP processing costs.

2. Asia - Northern Europe route:

Container freight rates from Asia to Northern Europe increased by 4.37% week-on-week in week 15/2025 to $2,267/FEU. This is down 7.73% month-on-month, according to Xeneta data.

Some carriers are redirecting orders to European markets, resulting in a slight increase in volumes. However, the full impact of these tariff measures remains uncertain and stakeholders are advised to monitor developments closely.

To address the oversupply situation, the Ocean Alliance has announced a number of sailing cancellations starting in mid-April.

In addition, the Premier Alliance has reduced capacity since Week 19. Carriers are advised to closely monitor their sailing schedules in late April and secure early bookings to mitigate the risk of potential adjustments.

This week, the Shanghai Container Freight Index remained stable for the fifth consecutive week. Despite no significant increase in demand, carriers’ proactive capacity tightening strategies have resulted in vessel utilization rates rising to 85–90%.

Freight rates are expected to remain stable, with upward adjustments anticipated in week 16.

Asia-Northern Europe Freight rate | Week 15/2025

Asia-Northern Europe Freight rate | Week 15/2025 (Image: Phaata.com)

3. Northern America - Asia route:

The freight rate from North America (West Coast) to Asia in week 15/2025 decreased by 5.09% week-on-week to $615/FEU. This is down 0.32% month-on-month, according to Xeneta data.

US West Coast - Asia Freight rate | Week 15/2025

US West Coast - Asia Freight rate | Week 15/2025 (Image: Phaata.com)

4. Northern Europe-Asia route:

Northern Europe to Asia freight rates in week 15/2025 increased by 3.65% compared to the previous week, reaching USD 227/FEU; this price decreased by 6.58% compared to the previous month, according to Xeneta data.

Northern Europe - Asia Freight rate | Week 15/2025