Freightos Baltic Index

Global – October 17, 2026 -- Transpacific container rates rose 2% last week to new peak-season highs on both US coasts, with West Coast prices above $7,600/FEU and East Coast prices near $9,800/FEU, according to the Freightos Baltic Index (FBX).

Carriers add September capacity as volumes stay elevated

Volume strength has run through August, despite peak-season demand starting early in late May. Carriers are adding slightly more capacity for September and may push further rate increases, especially to the East Coast, at the start of the month. Blanked sailings are scheduled around October's Golden Week holiday.

The source identifies no clear explanation for the demand. Possible contributors are the absence of tariff hikes in late July and higher data center hardware volumes. Tariff refunds may also be letting some retailers cut prices while building inventories.

Global – October 17, 2026 -- Transpacific container rates remain at about $7,600/FEU to the US West Coast and $9,500/FEU to the East Coast, matching levels last seen in the 2024 peak season, even as weekly Freightos Baltic Index readings slipped 1% to 3% across major lanes.

Ocean indexes ease 1% to 3% on all four tracked lanes

Asia-US West Coast prices (FBX01) fell 1% and Asia-US East Coast prices (FBX03) fell 3%. Asia-N. Europe (FBX11) dropped 3% and Asia-Mediterranean (FBX13) declined 1%. The transpacific cooldown points to no further rate increases in what is likely the final weeks of peak season, though elevated demand since late May has held prices at peak levels since early July.

Global – October 17, 2026 -- Asia-US West Coast container rates rose 4% last week to more than $8,100/FEU, while Asia-N. Europe prices fell 15% to $3,700/FEU, according to the Freightos Baltic Index. The split shows transpacific demand holding near peak-season levels as Asia-Europe volumes cool.

Transpacific rates stay at year highs on congestion and blanked sailings

East Coast rates were about level at $9,600/FEU. Resilient demand, a last push to move containers before the Golden Week holiday, and weather-driven Far East port congestion are keeping rates elevated. The absence of a tariff hike in late July may also have helped demand.

Some blanked sailings likely stem from congestion delays. Carriers are also trimming capacity for the holiday period and for easing demand expected later in October as peak season ends. Analysis showing fewer cancellations than in recent years may reflect the relative strength of demand.

Washington – October 17, 2026 -- Container rates from Asia to the US West Coast rose 4% last week to $8,400/FEU, a new high for the year, according to the Freightos Baltic Index. East Coast prices held level at about $9,600/FEU, $200/FEU below the late-August peak. Resilient demand kept pressure on rates through month-end.

US-China truce extended two months, with tariff cuts on $30B of goods

The Trump-Xi meeting in Washington extended last year's US-China trade truce by two months. The truce was set to expire on November 10. The leaders also agreed to two more meetings before year-end. The deescalation likely postpones US port call fees on China-linked vessels, though the USTR has not yet issued anything official.

Global – October 17, 2026 -- Asia-N. Europe container rates fell 2-3% last week to $3,260 per FEU, and Asia-Mediterranean rates fell to $3,555 per FEU, as carriers send more vessels through the Red Sea. Rates on both lanes have slid since mid-July, according to the Freightos Baltic Index.

Premier Alliance to resume some Red Sea services this month

The Premier Alliance, the last holdout among the three alliances and MSC, announced that some services will resume Red Sea transits this month. Carriers have been gradually adding Red Sea traffic despite elevated regional tension. The shorter route lifts effective capacity, which Freightos names as a likely contributor to the Asia-Europe rate decline.

Global – October 17, 2026 -- Asia-Mediterranean container prices rose 7% to $3,800/FEU last week, about 70% above year-ago levels, as repeated Houthi missile attacks on Riyadh airport raised the risk of renewed Red Sea strikes just as shippers enter 2027 contract tendering, according to the Freightos Baltic Index.

Saudi airport attacks close Riyadh and disrupt other hubs

Multiple Houthi missile attacks since late last week shut down airport operations in Riyadh. Interceptions at Dammam airport and attacks on other airports caused further disruptions and cancellations. Saudi Arabia has promised retaliation.