Recent data from the Shanghai Shipping Exchange reveals dramatic increases in container shipping rates from Shanghai to European and Mediterranean ports, with week-over-week jumps of 27.2% and 23.5% respectively. As of November 27, rates to major European ports reached $2,091 per TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit), while Mediterranean routes climbed to $2,219 per TEU .
The current surge appears particularly striking when compared to early November figures, reflecting rapid shifts in market supply and demand dynamics. Year-over-year comparisons show even more dramatic increases, with European routes up 170% and Mediterranean routes 203% higher than the same period last year.
Industry analysts attribute the price spikes primarily to acute container shortages , compounded by recovering demand and ongoing global supply chain realignment. The widening gap between equipment availability and shipping requirements continues to reshape maritime logistics economics.
Experts warn that sustained high freight rates could significantly alter global trade patterns, forcing businesses to reassess supply chain strategies. Companies are advised to develop contingency plans addressing both cost control and logistics reliability as market volatility persists.
