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Shipping lines drop Asia-Europe rates as alliance realignment approaches in February

Shipping lines drop Asia-Europe rates as alliance realignment approaches in February

Posted on January 8, 2025   |  

Liner operators are lowering Asia-Europe freight rates for the first two weeks of January as they compete for market share ahead of the February alliance changes.

On December 27, 2024, the Shanghai-North Europe rate increased by 0.5% to US$2,962/TEU after three weeks of declines.

Spot rates for the first two weeks of 2025 remain unpredictable, with initial rate increases followed by cuts as carriers fight for market share before the alliance reshuffle.

MSC will operate alone from February after its 2M partner Maersk leaves to form a new alliance with Hapag-Lloyd.

Hapag-Lloyd will exit THE Alliance and join the new Premier Alliance, with MSC cooperating with Premier Alliance on Asia-Europe routes.

On December 30, 2024, the EC2412 (December 2024) Asia-Europe freight futures contract closed at 3,445 points, 4.4% higher than the previous week.

Despite a strong end to December, futures for 2025 fell, with the EC2502 (February 2025) contract dropping 13% week-over-week due to lower volumes.

Carriers continue to offer discounts for the first two weeks of January, with Maersk reducing its online rate to US$4,800 per FEU, prompting rivals to cut rates and impacting freight futures prices.



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