Transferred from: Shanghai Shipping Exchange
In April 2025, the market trends of different routes in China's export container transportation market were differentiated, and the composite index slightly declined. In April 2025, the average comprehensive freight rate index for Chinese export containers released by the Shanghai Shipping Exchange was 1112.88 points, an average decrease of 4.5% compared to the previous month; The Shanghai Export Container Composite Index, which reflects the spot market, averaged 1369.36 points, an increase of 1.3% compared to the previous month.
1. The container throughput of ports has steadily increased, and the rental prices in the ship leasing market continue to rise
① In March 2025, the operating conditions of major ports in China will remain stable and improve. According to statistics, the container throughput of ports in China reached 29.49 million TEUs in March, an increase of 8.3% compared to the same period last year. Among them, coastal ports completed a container throughput of 25.81 million TEUs, an increase of 8.6% year-on-year; The inland ports completed a container throughput of 3.68 million TEUs, an increase of 7.0% year-on-year.
② The container charter market continues to rise, with rental prices for most ship types continuing to rise slightly. According to Clarkson statistics, in April, the rental prices of 2750TEU, 4250TEU, 6500TEU, and 9000TEU ships increased by 2.1%, 0.9%, 0.6%, and 0.7% respectively compared to the previous month.
2. European freight rates have slightly decreased
According to data released by S&P Global, the preliminary composite PMI for the Eurozone in April was 50.1, only slightly above the boom bust line, mainly due to the contraction of the service industry. Affected by the uncertainty of Trump's tariffs, the service industries in Germany and France unexpectedly contracted. With the United States imposing so-called "equivalent tariffs" worldwide, China and Europe have agreed to immediately initiate negotiations on electric vehicle price commitments, and there is hope that the two sides will further deepen trade, investment, and industrial cooperation in the future. This month, the European airline transportation market has remained relatively stable, with overall stable transportation demand and a slight decrease in market freight rates. In April, the average freight rates for China's exports to Europe and the Mediterranean were 1497.10 points and 1862.97 points, respectively, a decrease of 5.4% and 8.5% compared to the previous month; The average freight rates for Shanghai Port's exports to European and Mediterranean basic ports, reflecting the spot market, were 94/TEU and 10/TEU, respectively, a month on month decrease of 6.7% and 7.1% compared to the previous month.
3. The North American market continues to decline
According to the latest report from the World Trade Organization (WTO), the WTO has adjusted its forecast for global commodity trade volume this year from a 2.7% increase at the beginning of the year to a 0.2% decline, a full reduction of nearly three percentage points. The aggressive tariff policies of the Trump administration will lead to a contraction in global trade by 2025, which will not only severely impact the global business environment but also significantly lower global GDP growth expectations. WTO analysis shows that North American trade will be hit the hardest. This month, some goods have cancelled their shipping plans, and transportation demand has shown a downward trend. The market has begun to regulate the overall capacity deployment scale, and market freight rates continue to decline. In April, the average freight rates for China's exports to the West and East Coast of the United States were 809.02 points and 929.57 points, respectively, a decrease of 8.9% and 8.5% compared to the previous month.
4. The Bohong market is stable and improving
The Bohong route has seen a rebound in the transportation market after the "Ramadan" period, with stable and positive demand for transportation. The supply and demand fundamentals are relatively stable, and market freight rates have increased. In April, the average freight rate index for China's exports to the Bohai Sea was 1187.66 points, an average increase of 8.2% compared to the previous month.
5. Australian and New Zealand freight rates continue to rise
The demand for various materials on the Australia New Zealand route remains at a high level, and market freight rates continue to rise. In April, the average freight rate index for China's exports to Australia and New Zealand was 902.46 points, an increase of 6.4% compared to the previous month.
6. The overall stability of the Japanese market
The overall transportation demand for Japanese routes remains stable, with a slight increase in market freight rates. In April, the average freight rate index for Chinese exports to Japan was 980.85 points, a slight increase of 0.9% compared to the previous month.
