Ocean Freight Market Update
July 2025
What’s shaping Ocean Freight in 2025? Explore how various global dynamics are impacting the industry.
Global Ocean Freight Market Overview
Demand
- Growth rates expected to soften, despite improved financial conditions. Anticipation of higher tariffs boosted growth, but effect will continue to be stop & go.
Capacity
- Carriers, having added capacity on the Transpacific, now face oversupply as the momentum slows. Blank sailings coming.
Rates/News
- Spot rate indices have reversed all gains from the past weeks as Transpacific WC rates collapsed due to excess capacity.
- In the Asia-Europe trade, the market remains strong, with capacity aligned with demand.
- Northern Europe port congestion causing shipping delays expected to last until August 2025.
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Latest Trade Lane Updates
Far East Westbound
- Strong volume outlook continues
- Vessel utilization is at 95 – 100% with a risk of rolling for cargo exceeding forecasts or allocation
Transpacific Eastbound
- West Coast extra loaders have caused market capacity to outstrip demand
- East Coast utilizations remain high
Asia to Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT)
- Capacity when pre-planning is involved at least 3 weeks prior to CRD is workable
- East MED is soft, but rates are on average around USD 5,000/40'' with volatility still running high for capacity versus rates
Indian Subcontinent to Europe/Mediterranean
- Rate increase announcements postponed to 15th JULY. Mostly extension of current deals till 14th JULY
- IPBC to EURO NC remains strong
Indian Subcontinent to United States
- With sudden rush from CN after tariff pause the cascading effect is impacting IPBC volumes also since carriers are prioritizing Asia cargo.
- Capacity cut on USWC services as priority given to Asia
Asia to Latin America
- Rates to WCSA/Mexico decreased but stabilized now at around USD 2,500. Carriers will attempt GRI's during July
- Carrier utilization 80-90% to Pacific and 100%+ to East Coast of South America
Trans-Atlantic
- Some carriers have also introduced peak season surcharges (PSS) on North and MED Europe for FAK cargo only
- Space to Houston is limited because of peak season of US Flag cargo. All other loops have open space
Detailed Ocean Freight Market Update
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