Container Shipping Prices in June 2025

In June 2025, container shipping prices showed a significant upward trend, especially with a prominent increase on the US routes, mainly affected by the surging freight demand and tight shipping capacity. Currently, the quotation on the West Coast of the US has exceeded $3,000 per FEU (Forty-foot Equivalent Unit), and that on the East Coast of the US is close to $4,300 per FEU. Some shipping companies predict that it may reach $7,000 per FEU in June and July. Routes to Europe, the Mediterranean and other regions have also witnessed simultaneous increases, while the route to Australia and New Zealand has seen a slight decline.

Current Status of Freight Rates on Major Routes

1. US Routes:

- West Coast of the US: $3,275 per FEU (with a weekly increase of 5.95%). Some shipping companies' quotations have reached $6,000 per standard container.

- East Coast of the US: $4,284 per FEU (with a weekly increase of 5.28%). The price of 40-foot containers has increased by a maximum of $3,000.

2. European Routes:

- European route: $1,317 per TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) (with a weekly increase of 14.12%). The Mediterranean route: $2,328 per TEU (with a weekly increase of 11.82%).

3. Other Routes:

- Routes to the Persian Gulf and South America have seen increases of over 12%, and the route to Australia and New Zealand has slightly decreased by 2.04%.

Driving Factors for Price Increases

Demand Side:

Foreign trade enterprises are rushing to ship goods before the peak season in the third quarter, resulting in a sharp increase in booking demand. The space on US routes is so tight that it's like "scrambling for tickets".

Supply Side:

The allocation of shipping capacity has led to short-term tightness. Shipping companies are relieving the pressure by opening new routes and resuming suspended routes.

Outlook for the Future Market

Short Term:

Freight rates may continue to rise rapidly before the end of June. The US routes may exceed $7,000 per FEU, and the growth rate will slow down after the end of August.

Long Term:

The delivery of new ships (such as the increase in orders for ultra-large container ships) may relieve the shipping capacity, but the green transformation and regional conflicts will still bring uncertainties.