Ocean container freight rates from the Far East to the United States have surged to levels approaching the records seen during the COVID-19 supply-chain disruption. According to Xeneta data, the average spot rate on September 17 reached $7,960 per FEU from the Far East to the U.S. West Coast and $11,259 per FEU to the U.S. East Coast. Compared with the February 28 pre-Hormuz-crisis benchmark, those rates are up 323.6% and 324.7%, respectively.
The current levels are now within striking distance of the previous pandemic-era records. The West Coast rate is 17.9% below its $9,699 per FEU record, while the East Coast rate is just 11.2% below its $12,683 peak. Rising bunker costs are adding further pressure through fuel-related surcharges, while carriers are responding to strong demand by adding capacity on the Far East–U.S. East Coast trade. Xeneta reported that offered capacity on this route was 6–7% higher in September than in August.
The pressure may continue in the short term. Xeneta expects another potential rate increase at the beginning of October as shippers accelerate cargo movements ahead of China’s Golden Week shutdown. For importers and logistics teams, the combination of elevated spot rates, fuel costs and changing capacity makes freight rate visibility and shipment planning increasingly important. Tools such as FreightGraph AutoFill can help logistics teams turn incoming freight documents into structured digital data, supporting more efficient workflows while transportation conditions remain volatile.