Spot freight rates fell across major trade lanes on 2 October 2025, according to Xeneta data, reflecting continued cooling from September’s volatility.
Compared to a week earlier, rates dropped between 4.6 percent and 6.6 percent.
The Far East to US West Coast route was priced at $1,681 per FEU; to the US East Coast at $2,638; to North Europe at $1,703; and to the Mediterranean at $2,220.
For the North Europe – US East Coast trade, the rate was $1,648.
September was turbulent for freight from the Far East to the US.
A sudden rate spike on 1 September was fully reversed by month’s end.
As of 2 October, rates from the Far East to both US coasts were down 8 percent compared to end- August.
Meanwhile, European trades saw a steadier decline throughout the month.
Rates from Far East to North Europe, previously inflated by a summer bubble around July, have now settled back to $1,703 per FEU, below the June-July highs.
The North Europe US East Coast route has seen steadier falls down 5.5 percent in the past week, 5.8 percent over two weeks, and 10.2 percent from end-August-reaching its lowest level in 21 months and the weakest point since late 2023.
Peter Sand, Xeneta’s Chief Analyst, said: “Average spot rates on the Transpacific trade are now below the levels at the end of August, with the unexpected spike at the beginning of September more than wiped out.
“China has passed legislation allowing them to take countermeasures against any nation it believes is acting against its national trade interests.
The lights are still flashing red on the geo-political dashboard so it would be foolish for shippers to believe there is not potential for more pain as we look ahead to 2026.”
In August, sharp fluctuations in US import volumes and escalating trade tensions highlighted growing risks to global container demand, with new analysis estimating a potential loss of over 400,000 TEU in 2025 if macroeconomic pressures continued.
CMA CGM to acquire UK Intermodal Freightliner
French shipping giant CMA CGM will acquire Freightliner UK Intermodal Logistics to expand its intermodal services in Britain, reported Wroclaw’s Trans.info.
The deal, which includes rail and road operations, inland terminals and the Freightliner brand, is expected to close in early 2026 pending regulatory approval.
The acquisition excludes Freightliner’s Heavy Haul division, Rotterdam Rail Feeding, and its Polish and German subsidiaries, which will remain under current ownership.
Freightliner UK will continue operating as a standalone multiuser company, retaining its existing teams.
CMA CGM said the move supports its strategy to integrate maritime, rail and road transport and promote lower-carbon logistics.
CMA CGM chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saade said the acquisition strengthens the group’s UK presence and enhances its ability to offer efficient, low-emission transport solutions.
CMA CGM employs nearly 7,200 people in the UK across maritime, logistics and inland services.
In 2024, its shipping agency moved 802,000 TEU to and from the UK, while its intermodal arm CCIS transported 200,000 TEUS by rail and road in the first seven months of 2025.
Freightliner CEO Tim Shoveller said the divestment allows the Intermodal and Heavy Haul divisions to focus on separate markets.
He assured customers of continued high-quality service and a smooth transition.
CMA CGM said the acquisition is part of its broader European strategy to improve connectivity between the UK hinterland and major continental ports through integrated intermodal offerings.
Yang Ming orders seven LNG dual-fuel vessels
Taiwan’s Yang Ming Marine Transport has signed a contract with South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean to build seven 16,000 TEU-class LNG dual-fuel containerships, with delivery expected between 2028 and 2029, reported London’s Port Technology.
Each vessel will have a cарасity of 15.880 TEU and will be equipped with LNG dual-fuel propulsion systems.
The design allows for future conversion to ammonia fuel, making them the first containerships in Taiwan to be classified as Ammonia Fuel Ready.
The American Bureau of Shipping has awarded the vessels the Ammonia Fuel Ready Level IC notation, confirming compliance with current regulations and readiness for future ammonia adoption.
The ships will feature the world’s first Type-B LNG fuel tank with a 1.0 bar design pressure, developed jointly by Hanwha Ocean and ABS.
This tank improves safety and operational efficiency compared to the standard 0.7 bar tanks and supports upcoming shore-power rules.
LNG dual-fuel technology can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 20 percent compared to conventional marine fuels.
Ammonia is also gaining traction as a zero-carbon dioxide emission fuel during combustion.
Yang Ming has five additional 15,500 TEU LNG dual-fuel vessels scheduled for delivery starting in 2026.
The combined 12 vessels will boost the company’s alternative fuel fleet share.
The investment aligns with Yang Ming’s fleet renewal strategy, which includes retiring older vessels, improving energy efficiency, and increasing the use of alternative fuels to meet changing market and regulatory demands.
Last month, Yang Ming, Hyundai Merchant Marine and Ocean Network Express announced a joint restructuring of their Asia-Mediterranean, Transpacific and Middle East services.
Port of Los Angeles plans to build new container terminal
The Port of Los Angeles is seeking proposals from interested parties to participate in the pre-development of Pier 500, a proposed new stand-alone marine container terminal along the Pier 400 Channel.
The selected entity would enter into a public-private pre-development agreement with the port to scope the project’s financial feasibility, procure entitlements and handle other requirements needed before implementation and build out of the project.
Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka, said: “For the first time in a generation, the Port of Los Angeles plans to build a new container terminal to meet global supply chain demand for decades into the future.
“The development of the cleanest terminal possible would enhance our efficiency and sustainability while creating new jobs in our communities.”
As proposed, Pier 500 would be a 200-acre site with two new berths and approximately 3,000 linear feet of new available wharf.
Located in natural deep water on the southern tip of the port’s Terminal Island, the project site would significantly boost cargo efficiency, accommodating larger, next-generation ships.
The proposed Pier 500 site lies just south of Pier 400, currently the largest container terminal at the port. For decades, the port has remained forward-looking, exploring plans to add cargo capacity as needed.
To support this, the port has identified a submerged site of 124 acres, infrastructure added during the construction of adjacent Pier 400 before its completion in 2002.
Maersk includes SmartKargo to boost efficiency
Maersk has implemented SmartKargo’s cloud-based cargo management system across its air freight network to enhance visibility, operational efficiency and customer service, reports Mumbai’s STAT Trade Times.
The integration provides Maersk with a unified digital framework that leverages real-time data and analytics to optimise cargo handling, reduce costs and improve decision making.
Customers will benefit from improved tracking, faster responses to supply chain disruptions and more reliable delivery performance.
The move supports Maersk’s strategy to unify air, ocean and ground services under a single logistics ecosystem.
Olivier Houri, chief revenue officer at SmartKargo, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to digital transformation and operational excellence in logistics.
Todd Hildreth, Maersk’s Global head of air freight, said going live with SmartKargo demonstrates the company’s focus on innovation and efficiency in a rapidly evolving logistics landscape.
The deployment SmartKargo’s system reinforces Maersk’s position as a global logistics leader and highlights the role of technology in shaping the future of supply chain management.
Fears of scrappage boost box ship orders
Global container ship orders have surged, with 294 vessels totalling 2.7 million TEU contracted in the first eight months of 2025, driven by expectations of a major scrapping wave, reports London’s Riviera Maritime Media.
Clarksons Research said in its September World Shipyard Monitor that box ship tonnage ordered this year is double the 10-year average.
Larger vessels continue to dominate, but feeder ship orders have risen year-on-year, with more contracts signed since early September.
BRL (Builder’s Risk Liability) Weekly Newbuilding Contracts echoed the trend, noting a sharp rise in feeder vessel orders.
It said most contracts are for feeders, with exercised options typically confirmed within two to four weeks to avoid losing berth slots.
BRL attributed the surge to owners anticipating a “massive scrapping programme” for older ships.
While the consultancy said scrapping may be delayed by market instability, it warned the process is inevitable and is fueling demand for newbuilds.
The consultancy said the trend is benefiting small and medium shipyards, which are seeing increased business.
It cited South Korea’s HMM as an example, with the company negotiating to order 10 or more feeder ships from a Chinese yard.
BRL said HMM is considering vessels of 1,900 TEU and 3,000 TEU, and is leaning towards China due to a reported 20 percent pricing gap.
Although no deal has been finalised, BRL said an order would not be surprising in the current competitive market.
First Arctic China-UK container Voyage Commenees
A Hong Kong-based Safe trans Line operated containership has departed China for Europe via the Northern Sea Route, marking the start of a new fast-track Arctic service between East and West, reports Oslo’s Trade Winds.
The 4,890-TEU Istanbul Bridge (built 2000) left Ningbo-Zhoushan Port on September 22 and is bound for the Port of Felixstowe and expected to arrive October 10.
The new China-Europe Arctic Express route, dubbed the Polar Silk Road, is backed by Chinese company Sea Legend.
A launch ceremony was held in China to mark the maiden voyage, which aims to cut transit time to 18 days.
The same journey via the Suez Canal would take around 40 days, with an additional 10 days if routed via the Cape of Good Hope.
The service is designed to connect Chinese ports including Qingdao, Dalian, Shanghai and Ningbo with western Europe.
The Istanbul Bridge’s voyage is timed to support Europe’s pre-Christian inventory build-up.
The route will initially operate seasonally due to winter ice conditions; but China plans to enable year- round sailings by 2030.
In 2018, Maersk conducted a trial voyage using its ice-class vessel 3,600-TEU Venta Maersk along the Northern Sea Route, which runs over Russia’s Arctic coast.
While the journey was completed successfully, Maersk said the route was not commercially viable for regular container shipping.
Factors such as limited infrastructure, unpredictable ice conditions, and seasonal constraints made it unsuitable for consistent operations, and the company stated it had no plans to pursue regular service along the route.