In July 2025, the spot market booking prices of most routes in China’s export container shipping market showed a downward trend. The average monthly value of the China Export Containerized Freight Index released by the Shanghai Shipping Exchange was 1,305.40 points, rising by 2.2% compared with the previous month’s average. The average monthly value of the Shanghai Export Containerized Freight Index, which reflects the spot market, was 1,684.06 points, falling by 16.4% compared with the previous month’s average.
The container throughput at ports has grown steadily, and the rental rates in the ship leasing market have increased steadily.
In June 2025, major ports in China continued to maintain a good operating situation, with a steady growth in container throughput. According to statistics, the national ports completed a container throughput of 30.36 million TEUs in June, an increase of 4.7% compared with the same period last year. Among them, coastal ports completed a container throughput of 26.75 million TEUs, an increase of 4.5% year-on-year; inland river ports completed a container throughput of 3.62 million TEUs, an increase of 6.2% year-on-year.
The container charter market has been growing steadily, with rents for all types of vessels increasing. According to Clarksons, in July, the rents for 1,000 TEU, 2,750 TEU, 4,250 TEU, 6,500 TEU and 9,000 TEU vessels rose by 2.1%, 1.5%, 0.6%, 1.1% and 4.6% respectively compared to the previous month.
The market trends in Europe and Asia are diverging.
The European route saw a good performance in transportation demand this month, driving the spot market freight rates to continue rising. The supply and demand fundamentals of the Mediterranean route were slightly weak, resulting in a decline in the booking prices in the spot market. The European-Mediterranean market showed a divergence in trends. In July, the average freight rate indices for China’s exports to the European and Mediterranean routes were 1752.84 points and 2172.06 points respectively, up by 14.8% and 1.9% compared to the previous month on average. The average freight rates for Shanghai ports to European and Mediterranean basic ports in the spot market were $2092/TEU and $2621/TEU respectively, up by 13.5% and down by 16.4% compared to the previous month.
North American freight rates continue to be adjusted.
The North American route has seen a lack of further growth momentum in transportation demand, and the supply-demand balance is not satisfactory. Market freight rates have mainly shown an adjusting trend. In July, the average freight rate indices for China’s exports to the West Coast and East Coast of the United States were 983.60 points and 1247.30 points respectively, both of which decreased by 14.4% and 7.3% compared to the previous month. Reflecting the spot market, the average freight rates for exports from Shanghai Port to the basic ports of the West Coast and East Coast of the United States were 2123 US dollars/FEU and 3822 US dollars/FEU respectively, both of which decreased by 43.7% and 35.6% compared to the previous month.
The freight rates for the Red Sea route remain stable overall.
The Red Sea route has seen the impact of geopolitical situations on the transportation market stabilize. The transportation demand remains stable, and the market situation is generally stable, but it is facing downward pressure. The spot market booking prices have continued to decline from the high levels at the beginning of this month. In July, the average value of the China-Red Sea route freight rate index was 1512.83 points, up by 8.9% compared with the previous month.
Australian and New Zealand freight rates continue to rise.
The Australian and New Zealand shipping route saw continued stable growth in transportation demand, with a solid supply-demand foundation, driving the market freight rates to rise further. In July, the average freight rate index for China’s exports to the Australian and New Zealand shipping route was 942.63 points, up by 7.8% compared to the previous month.
The Japanese market experienced a slight decline.
The Japanese route saw overall stable transportation demand and a slight decline in market freight rates. In July, the average freight rate index for China’s exports to the Japanese route was 949.38 points, a slight decrease of 1.1% compared to the previous month.
Post time: Aug-15-2025