According to C.H. Robinson’s December 2025 Ocean Freight Market Update, spot rates remain soft across major lanes, with USWC/USEC Trans-Pacific rates nearing 2025 lows. Asia–Europe rates show volatility amid port congestion in Rotterdam and Hamburg. CMA CGM begins Suez Canal resumption on January 14, 2026, targeting 10 voyages by month-end — a move that could cut transit times from 40–45 to 28–32 days and boost vessel availability by 25–30%. U.S. import volumes are projected to drop 19.7% in November and 20.1% in December, though holiday retail spending is expected to exceed $1 trillion.
According to www.chrobinson.com, spot rates across major ocean export lanes are expected to remain low through December 2025, continuing November’s trend of softening prices — with both United States West Coast (USWC) and United States East Coast (USEC) Trans-Pacific lanes approaching their lowest levels of 2025.
Asia–North America Dynamics
Freight rates on Trans-Pacific trade lanes remain under significant pressure as carriers maintain robust capacity despite weak demand. December capacity deployment shows fewer blank sailings than usual for the winter season — a notable deviation from the historical 15–20% winter capacity reduction. Carriers are instead using selective, tactical cancellations to manage vessel utilization and limit rate declines. However, multiple blank sailings in one week can cause short-term space constraints and cargo rollovers, where confirmed bookings are moved to the following week.
Asia–Europe Volatility & Port Constraints
Rates on Asia–Europe lanes are expected to remain variable, with week-to-week fluctuations continuing through December. A carrier-implemented rate increase took effect December 1, 2025, and space is tightening — a trend likely to persist into January. This resilience stems largely from persistent port congestion, particularly at Rotterdam and Hamburg, which reduces effective capacity. Vessels delayed at berth or waiting in anchorage cannot complete scheduled rotations, artificially sustaining high vessel utilization rates even amid soft overall demand.
Suez Canal Resumption Underway
CMA CGM is preparing for a large-scale return to the Suez Canal, resuming eastbound sailings on Asia–Europe, Asia–Mediterranean, and INDAMEX services from USEC to India. Starting January 14, 2026, CMA CGM plans to gradually resume westbound routing on the INDAMEX service to the United States, targeting 10 Suez voyages by month-end. Other carriers remain cautious and have not yet announced return dates. If broader Suez routing resumes, transit times would shorten from 40–45 days (via the Cape) to 28–32 days, effectively increasing vessel availability by 25–30% without adding ships — a development that could materially reshape capacity and pricing if adopted widely.
North American Import Outlook
- Global schedule reliability has risen to 65.2%, up 14.7% year over year
- U.S. container import volumes are declining: Global Port Tracker projects a 19.7% drop in November and 20.1% in December
- Full-year 2025 forecast stands at 24.7 million TEUs — down 3.4% from 2024
- Despite softer imports, U.S. consumer resilience persists: National Retail Federation expects holiday spending to surpass $1 trillion in November–December — marking 3.7–4.2% growth over 2024
Key Takeaways for Supply Chain Professionals
Shippers should monitor December rate adjustments closely, as carriers continue to push short-notice changes. Week-to-week variability on Asia–Europe lanes warrants agile booking strategies. Locking in favorable spot rates quickly remains prudent before market conditions shift. Crucially, supply chain teams must track Suez Canal developments: broader service resumption could reshape not only capacity and pricing but also equipment availability and lead time predictability across key trade corridors.
Source: www.chrobinson.com
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
