Market update: Asia–Europe rates rebound as carriers return to Suez
Asia–Europe container rates rose this week after a long slide, and carriers keep moving services back to the Suez Canal. Here are the developments from the past ten days that matter for European importers and exporters.
Rates: Drewry's World Container Index rose 3% to $4,485 per 40ft container in its 15 October update. Shanghai–Rotterdam climbed 6% to $3,522 and Shanghai–Genoa 7% to $3,945, ending 13 consecutive weeks of decline on Asia–Europe. Xeneta's market average for 16 October was $3,568 per FEU from the Far East to North Europe and $4,165 to the Mediterranean. The SCFI edged up 0.42% to 3,679.58 points on 16 October.
Carrier increases: Carriers are attempting to push FAK rates of $4,500–$4,800 per 40ft container on Asia–Europe, effective 19 October. Drewry says successful implementation remains uncertain amid increased capacity. It counted two blank sailings announced for the following week on this trade, down from six.
Red Sea and Suez: Alphaliner reports that 63% of Far East–Europe capacity is now deployed on services using the Red Sea route, based on the ten largest carriers between 15 September and 15 October. Xeneta says weekly scheduled capacity crossing Bab el-Mandeb reached 448,273 TEU on 5 October, still 48% of the August 2023 level. Freightos expects a full return during Q1 but warns that Houthi-Saudi violence is intensifying, and The Loadstar notes some operators keep several Cape of Good Hope routes as a hedge.
Rotterdam: According to the Port Authority, Rotterdam handled 10.751 million TEU in the first nine months of 2026, up 0.1%, while transshipment fell by 20%.
What this means for your cargo: Rates are moving, but carrier increases may not hold, so ask for quotes with clear validity dates and book early for November shipments. As more vessels return to Suez, schedules and transit times may change; confirm routing, sailing dates and cut-offs with your forwarder, and keep your documents ready ahead of them.
- World Container Index – 15 October 2026 (Daily Cargo News / Drewry) · 2026-10-15
- Container freight rates rebound as Asia-Europe indexes diverge (Container News) · 2026-10-19
- Xeneta: Red Sea return accelerates as container capacity doubles in six weeks (SAFETY4SEA) · 2026-10-19
- Alphaliner: 63% of Far East–Europe capacity deployed on services using Red Sea route (SAFETY4SEA) · 2026-10-21
- Nearly two-thirds of Far East-Europe capacity now back to Suez Canal (The Loadstar) · 2026-10-21
- Red Sea container traffic set for full return in Q1 – October 20, 2026 Update (Freightos) · 2026-10-20
- The Port of Rotterdam loses 20% of its transshipment traffic while keeping container volumes stable (El Estrecho Digital) · 2026-10-16
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