FOR NO obvious reason China-Australia freight rates have taken off over the past two weeks and some offers in the market are approaching USD 3400/FEU for certain port pairs.
After average spot rate quotes rose by 6% for Week 42 Shanghai-Sydney, they jumped by 13% in Week 43 and a further 6% for Week 44, the current week, to USD 2770/FEU, according to the SCFI.
This is the highest level since Week 4, 2025. But in Week 44, 2024 the average spot rate was USD 4290/FEU, albeit it then began to slide through to Week 2, 2025.
Information sent in recent days to DCN shows rates on offer to East Coast ports of USD 2950/FEU from competition hot-spots Shanghai and Ningbo, 3200/FEU from Shenzhen, Qingdao and Xiamen, and 3400/FEU from Nansha. TEU rates are half those of FEUs.
This is clearly no longer a Golden Week bounce but a “trend”, and post-peak season. It’s also more substantial than Drewry’s World Container Index increase last week, covering major east-west trades.
With a magnificent mixed metaphor, one shipper commented to DCN: “Every carrier will be trying to get on this train before it leaves the station!”
Notifications received since our last review:
ANL says that due to rising operational costs resulting from port congestion, container imbalance, and surging global demand it will be implementing a GRI for all shipments from Asia to Pacific Island destinations of Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, American Samoa & French Polynesia, commencing 14 November. The increases will be USD 400/TEU, for dry/reefer and 800/FEU for dry/hi-cube/reefer.
The following day ANL will be implementing a rate restoration program at USD 300/TEU dry/reefer & USD 600/FEU dry/reefer for all shipments from Southeast Asia, Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East to Australia.
This increase will apply on top of current Spot/FAK rates subject to all applicable surcharges valid on time of shipment.
Simultaneously ANL will implement a rate restoration program for all shipments from North-East Asia to New Zealand, at USD 300/TEU, for dry/reefer and 600/FEU for dry/hi-cube/reefer. Australia won’t be left out, with
ANL will be implementing a rate restoration program also from 15 November at USD 500/TEU dry/reefer & USD 1000/FEU dry/reefer for all shipment from North East Asia to Australia. This increase will also apply on top of current Spot/FAK rates subject to all applicable surcharges valid on time of shipment and, interestingly, was originally notified as USD 300/600.
COSCO will not be left out, hitting up shippers from North & East Asia to all ports and points in Australia for an extra USD 500/TEU and 1000/FEU on 15 November, and applying the same rate restoration from South East Asia to all ports and points in Australia.
MSC will bump rates for all cargo from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Philippines and Indonesia on 15 November, by USD 500/TEU to Australia and USD 300/TEU to NZ.
Carriers are also announcing bunker and currency adjustments for December 2025; shippers should consult carrier websites.