The dramatic surge in ocean freight container shipping rates appears to be reaching its peak as importers push back against rising spot rates, according to data released by Xeneta on Monday.<\/p>\n
Average spot rates from the Far East to the U.S. East Coast increased by 3.7% on July 15, reaching US$10,045 per FEU (40-foot equivalent unit), while spot rates to the U.S. West Coast also rose by 2.0% to $8,045 per FEU. While these increases are significant, Xeneta points out they are much smaller than the sharp rises seen on July 1, which saw rates spike by 22% to the U.S. East Coast and 12% to the U.S. West Coast.<\/p>\n
\u201cXeneta data shows some ocean container carriers are still pushing spot rate increases in mid-July, but, for the first time in a long time, some carriers are offering lower spot rates,\u201d says Emily Stausb\u00f8ll, a senior shipping analyst at Xeneta.<\/p>\n
Stausb\u00f8ll highlighted that this shift suggests a growing level of available capacity in the market, allowing shippers to negotiate better rates. \u201cAs the balance of negotiating power starts to swing back towards shippers, we should see spot rates start to come back down,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n