April’s freight market trends (April 2025) reflect a global shipping environment that remains in flux. With rate swings across Northeast and Southeast Asia, growing port congestion, and geopolitical disruptions continuing to pressure supply chains, shippers and logistics providers are navigating another complex month. General Rate Increases (GRIs), capacity tightening ahead of regional holidays, and equipment shortages are all in play—particularly on Asia–Australia and Trans-Pacific Eastbound lanes. In this month’s update, we break down the key developments and regional insights shaping container freight movements in April 2025.
USA – Trans-Pacific Eastbound (TPEB) trade lane Market Holding Steady
Rates on the Asia–US trade lane have stabilised.
• Shanghai to LA: Down 6% to $2,487
• Shanghai to NY: Down 4% to $3,622
• LA to Shanghai: Up 1% to $709
Capacity and equipment availability remain strong post-CNY, but inland congestion is still a concern:
• Savannah, Norfolk, NYC/NJ: Berthing delays of up to 4 days; chassis shortages
• Oakland: Import delays up to 5 days; space constraints on returns
• Houston: Delays at Barbour’s Cut Terminal
• Charleston: Delays under 24 hours
• Vancouver (Canada): Weather-related vessel and rail delays; dwell up to 13 days
Europe – Stable Rates, Disrupted Operations
Rates remain fairly stable:
• Shanghai to Rotterdam: $2,370 (↓4%)
• Shanghai to Genoa: $3,171 (↓3%)
• Rotterdam to Shanghai: $500 (↑3%)
• Rotterdam to New York: $2,162 (↓7%)
• Europe to Australia: Around $1,100 per TEU
Key operational notes:
• Blank sailings increasing again in April in Southern Europe, particularly at Valencia, Mersin, and Piraeus
• Ongoing equipment shortages in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and Hungary – carrier haulage recommended
• Strikes across France, Belgium, and the Netherlands are causing serious port delays
• Germany’s terminals are handling high volume but still impacted by yard congestion
Red Sea – Conflict Continues to Impact Global Trade
As of April 1, over 100 ships have been targeted by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea since late 2023. Several vessels have been sunk or seized, with multiple casualties. In response, the US has carried out military strikes in Yemen. President Trump has confirmed the campaign will continue until attacks stop.
Most carriers continue to reroute vessels via the Cape of Good Hope, adding time and cost to global trade routes. Transhipment ports, especially Singapore and European gateways, remain heavily affected.
Northeast Asia – Rates and Trends
It’s been a choppy few weeks for shipping out of Northeast Asia, with most carriers tweaking their rates frequently. A push for a General Rate Increase (GRI) of USD 300 per TEU on April 1 didn’t stick, as capacity cuts weren’t enough to justify it. While some vessels have been pulled from rotation, uncertainty remains high, especially given the lack of NAC (named account) deals in place. If sentiment continues to drop, we may see rates soften through late April.
On key lanes:
• NEAX (A1X): Though not considered a premium service, it’s a strong CN-AU option, currently priced at USD 900 per TEU from ports like TAO, SHA, NGB, and SZX to SYD, MEL, and BNE.
• TSL, PIL, YML (Economy CAT & CA2 Services): Holding steady at USD 900 per TEU from April 1–14.
• Premium Carriers: Have lifted rates to USD 1000 per TEU across China–AUEC routes, driven by high roll volumes from March. These are expected to remain firm.
Despite easing rates, the Drewry WCI index still sits 53% higher than the pre-COVID average of $1,420 (now at $2,168 per 40ft), though it’s well off the pandemic peak of over $10,000.
GRIs on the Horizon
Several carriers are reattempting GRIs from mid-April:
• MSC: +$300 per TEU from China, HK, Japan, Korea & Taiwan to AU/NZ – effective April 15
• ANL: +$300 per TEU from NE Asia to East Coast Australia – effective April 15
Southeast Asia – Rates All Over the Map
Rates from Southeast Asia are fluctuating widely depending on the carrier. As of early April, here’s where things stand per TEU:
• Korea: USD 800–1100
• Vietnam: USD 700–1100
• Indonesia: USD 800–1200
• Malaysia/Singapore/Thailand: USD 800–1100
• Taiwan: USD 850–1200
PIL and MSC continue to offer the most competitive pricing on the lower end of the scale.
Capacity & Congestion Updates
With Labour Day (May 1–5) on the radar, capacity is tightening quickly. Some sailings are already fully booked.
Blank sailings to note:
• Panda Service: Weeks 14 & 17
• Wallaby & AUN Services: Week 15
• CA2: Week 16
• A3/JKN: Weeks 14 & 17
• CAT: Weeks 18 & 19
MSC has also upgraded vessels on the PANDA (ZAX) route, increasing capacity from 6,200 to 8,500 TEUs, thereby providing more space in the CN–AU corridor.
Equipment shortages are emerging in several key areas:
• Penang (Malaysia): Low availability
• Yantian, Xiamen, Qingdao (China): Short on 40’ containers
March’s blank sailings caused significant congestion. Bookings are being rolled with delays of up to two weeks, especially from Northeast China, where weather has disrupted vessel movements.
Terminal congestion updates:
• Singapore: Over 90 ships waiting or docked due to Red Sea reroutes
• Shanghai/Ningbo: More than 170 vessels queued or loading; fog closures worsening delays
• Port Klang (Malaysia): Reduced Ramadan productivity causing congestion
• Chittagong (Bangladesh): 2–3 day delays from weather and port inefficiencies
• Busan (Korea): 2–3 day delays from fog and vessel arrival issues
Final Thoughts
The freight market trends for April 2025 highlight a mix of stabilising rates and ongoing operational volatility. GRIs are being reintroduced in multiple trade lanes, blank sailings continue to impact space availability, and equipment constraints remain an issue across Asia and Europe. Meanwhile, broader geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Red Sea,continue to affect routing decisions and lead times. As always, early planning, flexible routing, and strong communication with logistics partners will be essential to managing risk and staying ahead of disruption this month.
—
When it comes to freight forwarding, we are the full package. Market-leading service, values, and solutions.
For all your freight-forwarding solutions, internationally and Australia-wide, you need TFG Global.
Phone: 1300 (693 734) MY FREIGHT | +61 3 9090 7546
Email: andrew@tfgglobal.com.au
Web: www.tfgglobal.com.au