Container Rates still retreating : Baltic Exchange

LONDON : Container freight rates from China to the US have dropped over past weeks, returning to pre-tariff levels.

FBX01 (China/East Asia – USA West Coast) ended the week on last Friday at $2,328/FEU, down $18/FEU from the Friday before last but down $3,541 from this time last month. FBX03 (China/East Asia – USA East Coast) was at $4,224/FEU on last Friday down $656 compared with the Friday before last and down $2,961 from this time last month.

Analysts cite excess capacity, blank sailings, and weak demand as key factors which are likely to continue for the rest of the year. While Asia–Europe rates remain firm FBX11 (China/East Asia – North Europe) ended the week at $3,653/FEU up $195 from Friday last week, rates here are under pressure too and FBX13 (China/East Asia – Mediterranean) ended the week at $3,459/FEU down $309 from last week.

The backhaul to FBX11, FBX12 (North Europe – China/East Asia) finished the week at $454/FEU, up $66 from last week. Meanwhile, Vietnam and India are gaining from diverted US-bound volumes, as China’s exports dip amid ongoing tariff unpredictability and geopolitical volatility.