Freight Pulse & Law Update: Asia–Europe Freight Indices Split as Carriers File Big November Rate Push

Asia–Europe indices split Friday as carriers pushed November rates higher. A filed FAK is an asking price, not a settled price.

Bottom line: Don’t budget November Asia–Europe freight at announced FAK levels. Xeneta and Drewry rose while FBX fell, and carriers are tightening capacity to force quotes up. Treat the U.S. port-fee extension proposal as temporary, not settled.

What do the indices and carrier filings show?

On Oct. 23 the SCFI closed at 3,681.34, its third weekly gain; Far East–Europe rose 0.7% to $2,351/TEU. On Asia–North Europe, Xeneta rose 6.8% to $3,698/40ft and Drewry WCI gained 3% to $3,632, while FBX fell from $3,692 to $3,516.

MSC filed Nov. 1 FAKs of $4,500 for North Europe, $5,000 for West Med and $5,100 for East Med; CMA CGM filed $4,900 and $5,200 for the Med. Asia–Europe blank sailings rise to eight from two, while trans-Pacific blankings fell to two from six and FBX’s East Coast rate dropped $827 to $9,927/FEU. Shanghai vessel waits eased from 97 to 38 hours.

What should shippers know about the Section 301 proposal?

USTR proposed extending the pause on Section 301 fees for Chinese-owned, operated or built vessels, including crane duties.

• Pause now expires Nov. 9.

• Proposed extension: through Jan. 9, 2027.

• Tied to shipbuilding talks, not a permanent fix.

Check November bookings for emergency port-fee surcharges, and model a February 2027 cost increase in case the pause lapses.

Mid-Atlantic / I-95 regional | Oct. 24-26

PennDOT closed Castor Avenue’s ramp to NB I-95 and one SB lane between Oregon Avenue and Front Street, Friday 9 p.m. to Monday 5 a.m. In Delaware County, the I-476 South-to-I-95 South ramp and MacDade Boulevard ramps shut 10 p.m.–9 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Build buffers into Mid-Atlantic fulfillment routes into Philadelphia, including 3PL Maryland moves.

CVSA reminder: No CVSA-wide brake event runs in October; the April 14 blitz sidelined 574 of 4,021 trucks (14.3%), with extra focus on drums and rotors, so keep those checks on the pre-dispatch list. (CVSA results)

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