2026 Container Shipping Kick-off: US Routes Surge 26% in Rates While European Ports Face Severe Congestion
Publish Time: 2026-01-13 Origin: Site
Latest Freight Rate Performance
SCFI (Jan 9): The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index stood at 1,647.39 points, down 0.5% week-on-week. Key routes:
Europe: $1,719/TEU, up 1.7%
Mediterranean: $3,232/TEU, up 2.8%
US West Coast: $2,218/FEU, up 1.4%
US East Coast: $3,128/FEU, up 3.1% (a $910 gap between USWC and USEC)
Drewry WCI (Jan 8): Soared 16% to $2,557/FEU. Highlights:
Shanghai-Los Angeles: Surge 26% to $3,132/FEU
Shanghai-New York: Jump 20% to $3,957/FEU
Shanghai-Rotterdam: Rise 10% to $2,840/FEU
Shanghai-Genoa: Increase 13% to $3,885/FEU
Carrier Strategies & Market Drivers
Maersk’s Stance: Adopts a "cautiously optimistic" attitude towards the Asia-Pacific market. It has canceled 7 Transpacific sailings to balance supply and demand ahead of the Chinese New Year. Its vessel "Maersk Sebarok" completed the first transit through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait in nearly two years in late December 2025, but full resumption of the Red Sea route will be gradual.
China’s Export Resilience: Customs data shows China’s exports rose 5.9% YoY in Nov 2025 and 5.4% cumulatively Jan-Nov. Trade flow shifts: Asia-Africa volumes surged 22.6% (2019-2025); intra-Asia and Asia-Latin America shipments also grew significantly, partially replacing traditional East-West trunk routes.
Operational Challenges & Risks
European Port Congestion: Severe snow in early January disrupted operations at Hamburg, Rotterdam, and Antwerp, causing vessel delays. Long-term issues: High yard utilization (Antwerp terminals at ~90%), Rotterdam large boxships waiting 24-48 hours.
Capacity & Geopolitical Risks: A large number of new ships will be delivered in coming quarters, expanding global capacity supply. Without major geopolitical disruptions like the Red Sea diversion, freight rates and utilization will face pressure. Resumption of the Red Sea route could release locked-up capacity, triggering rate drops and profit contraction. The US military action against Venezuela on Jan 3 adds uncertainty.