Asia-Europe Freight Rates Surge Again as Port Congestion Hits Peak

SINGAPORE / 9 JULY 2025 — Shipping rates between Asia and Northern Europe have surged once again this week, reaching their highest point in 2025 as severe port congestion in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe cripples vessel turnaround.

“Carriers are fully booked through July and early August,” confirmed Thomas Levin, Head of Capacity Planning at a leading Scandinavian freight consultancy. “Shippers are rushing to secure space ahead of the peak season, while vessels continue to queue for days off major hubs like Rotterdam and Antwerp.”

According to data collected in the last 10 hours by the Freight Benchmarking Index, spot rates for a 40-foot container from Shanghai to Rotterdam now hover around $9,600—up 21% week-on-week and more than double compared to early May.

Supply Chain Pressure Intensifies

The surge comes as a chain reaction to longer dwell times, labour shortages at container terminals, and the ripple effects of Red Sea diversions. With nearly all major carriers rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope, vessels are arriving out of schedule, exacerbating yard congestion.

Port officials in Antwerp admitted delays of up to 5–7 days for vessel berthing and up to 12 days for hinterland trucking.

Shippers Shift Strategies

In response, several European retailers have switched to split routing, unloading cargo in southern Mediterranean ports and using rail or road to reach final destinations. Others are opting for temporary warehousing in secondary ports.

“This is not just a peak season anomaly. We’re entering a new structural cycle of volatility,” warned Levin.

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