In June 2025, China’s container export market maintained a stable and positive trend. The average monthly value of the China Containerized Freight Index (CCFI), released by the Shanghai Shipping Exchange, was 1,277.46 points, upped by 15.2% from the previous month. The average monthly value of the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI), reflecting the spot market, was 2,014.92 points, went through an increase of 24.3% month-on-month.
Port container throughput continued to grow, while charter rates showed further divergence
① In May 2025, China’s major ports operated well, with container throughput maintaining growth. Statistics show that national port container throughput reached 30.37 million TEUs in May, upped by 5.4% year-on-year. Coastal ports handled 26.72 million TEUs, which amounts to a 6.1% increase, while inland river ports handled 3.65 million TEUs, upped by 0.6%.
② Container charter rates continued to diverge, with most vessel types experiencing slight increases. According to Clarksons, in June, rates for 1,000 TEU, 2,750 TEU, 4,250 TEU, 6,500 TEU, and 9,000 TEU vessels rose by 2.9%, 1.5%, -0.7%, -0.1%, and 0.8% month-on-month, respectively.
Freight rates on Europe and Mediterranean routes continued to rise
On Europe-Mediterranean routes, customs data showed China’s exports to the EU grew by 12% year-on-year in May, maintaining rapid growth. In the first five months, the EU remained China’s second-largest trading partner, with Chinese to EU exports increasing by 7.7% compared to the same period last year. In july, transport demand remained strong, driving freight rates higher. In June, the average CCFI for China-Europe and China-Mediterranean routes stood at 1,526.30 and 2,130.80 points, upped by 8.2% and 16.7% month-on-month, respectively. Spot rates from Shanghai to European and Mediterranean base ports averaged $1,844/TEU and $3,135/TEU, upped by 41.3% and 31.2% from the previous month.
The North American market rose and fell
On North American routes, cargo volumes remained high in early June, keeping spot booking prices elevated due to tight supply-demand conditions. However, in the second half of the month, increased vessel supply weakened the market, leading to a significant drop in spot rates. The average CCFI for China-US West Coast and China-US East Coast routes in June was 1,149.63 and 1,345.73 points, rose by 28.2% and 36.0% compared to May, respectively. Spot rates from Shanghai to US West Coast and US East Coast base ports averaged $3,769/FEU and $5,938/FEU, upped by 8.6% and 32.5% from the previous month.
The Persian Gulf-Red Sea market faced geopolitical risks
On the Persian Gulf-Red Sea route, transport demand remained strong, supporting rising spot booking prices. The average CCFI for this route in June was 1,389.20 points, upped by 22.0% month-on-month.
Australia-New Zealand freight rates rebounded from lows
On the Australia-New Zealand route, weak transport demand in the first half of June kept freight rates under pressure. However, demand showed signs of recovery in the second half, improving supply-demand relation and leading to a rebound in rates. The average CCFI for this route in June was 874.72 points, downed by 4.4% month-on-month.
The Japan market saw a slight decline
On the Japan route, transport demand remained stable, but freight rates edged lower. The average CCFI for this route in June was 959.70 points, decreased by 1.8% month-on-month.