Europe Rates Rally While US Lanes Weaken — December 2025 Shipping Update

Why Europe is Getting Stronger

Multiple industry sources (Drewry, Xeneta, etc.) report that Asia–Europe rates have strengthened due to renewed demand in Europe. In some cases, Chinese exporters are shifting volumes from North America to alternative markets, helping to absorb increased sailings and keep spot rates on an upward trajectory.

Carriers Announce December 1, 2025 FAK/GRI Increases

Major carriers including CMA CGM (A.P. Moller/CMA CGM Group), MSC, Hapag-Lloyd and others have issued notices raising FAK/FAK-equivalent rates for Asia → Europe routes effective December 1, 2025 (many notices apply through mid-December or until further notice).

Why the Trans-Pacific Is Weakening

Trans-Pacific spot rates have fallen due to elevated capacity and soft demand. Carriers added sailings to US lanes (Far East → US West +5.4%, Far East → US East +11.4% week-on-week), leaving the market oversupplied. Furthermore, blank sailings remain a material factor in schedule reliability, with a notable share of canceled sailings concentrated on the trans-Pacific.

Practical Advice for Shippers

• Asia → Europe shippers: Consider locking space before Dec 1 to avoid higher FAKs; explore multi-month contracts if you have steady volume.
• Asia → US shippers: Use current softness to optimize freight spend — consider shifting some shipments if timing allows, but monitor schedule reliability and blank-sailing notices.
• General: Factor in inland congestion, terminal fees, and oversize/additional handling charges when comparing landed cost across routes.

Goodship56 Recommendation

We recommend route-specific planning: lock capacity on routes where carriers have announced increases, and leverage market softness on routes where capacity is plentiful. For e-commerce and retail replenishment, balance inventory carrying cost against current freight cost opportunities.

Resources & Contacts

For carrier notices, check your NVOCC or carrier portal for the official FAK/GRI bulletin. For pricing and US delivery capabilities, contact our partner Xiang Mei Supply Chain (USPS GDE/NSA accounts) — mention "Goodship56" when inquiring for priority handling.