ports

New Ocean Capacity Fails to Moderate Container Rate Increases

Container spot rates held largely steady on major transpacific and Asia-Europe routes this week. The transpacific Asia-North America west coast corridor posted a 12% week-on-week jump to $5,750 per 40-foot container, according to Drewry's World Container Index, sitting 54% above year-ago levels. While carriers introduced promotional structures and volume-based deals, forwarders report negotiations remain constrained. Carriers bundle low fixed-contract space around $3,000 with standard market-rate allocations, forcing combined booking ratios as steep as 1:5. This tactic effectively lifts blended deal pricing toward spot market levels. The Shanghai-New York route gained 6% weekly to $7,149 per 40-foot container. Despite fresh capacity entering the market, rate pressure persists as carriers maintain disciplined allocation strategies.