Shipping & Ports
US East Coast Container Spot Rates Approach Pandemic Highs, Xeneta Reports
Ocean container spot rates inbound to the US East Coast are approaching peak levels recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic amid falling service reliability, according to Xeneta.

Container spot freight rates for ocean shipments into the US East Coast are approaching high-water marks previously seen during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to market analysis from Xeneta.
The surge in pricing coincides with deteriorating schedule reliability across relevant container shipping lanes. The findings were released as part of the Xeneta Weekly Ocean Container Shipping Market Update, which tracks global freight capacity and rate fluctuations.
Peter Sand, chief analyst at Xeneta, highlighted that the climb in average spot rates is compounding operational challenges for cargo owners as reliability metrics continue to slide.
Source attribution
This report was written by the Global Freight editorial desk based on material published by Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide. It is an original summary and analysis, not a reproduction of the source text. Figures and claims are limited to those present in the source material.
Spot rates into US East Coast close in on Covid-19 peak while reliability deterioratesGlobal Freight Briefing
The commodity and freight brief, twice weekly
Concise coverage of fuel oil, energy trading and shipping markets for professional readers. No promotional content.
Related coverage
Related blogs
Further reading across commodity trading, energy and oil markets, fuel oil and shipping logistics.
- Shipping & Ports
Asia-US Container Rates Rise as Port Congestion Dents Schedule Reliability
Container freight rates from East Asia to the US climbed as Asian port delays reduced global schedule reliability to 56.4% in July 2026, while US Gulf chemical tanker rates eased.
- Shipping & Ports
OPEC Reports August Rise in Crude Tanker Spot Freight Rates
Spot freight rates for dirty tankers strengthened in August, propelled by a broad recovery in VLCC earnings across all monitored routes, according to OPEC.
- Market Intelligence
US Retail Diesel Nears Previous Highs as Prices Reach $5.69 per Gallon
United States retail diesel prices have climbed close to previous peak levels, averaging $5.69 per gallon according to recent AAA data.
- Market Intelligence
Middle East Oil Exports Recover Toward Pre-Conflict Levels, Goldman Sachs Says
Outbound crude and product shipments from the Persian Gulf have rebounded to approximately two-thirds of pre-war averages, according to Goldman Sachs.
- Commodity Trading
A Malta Trading House Goes East: Alkagesta and Singapore
Founded in Malta in 2018, Alkagesta opened its Singapore hub in 2025 to test whether a European governance model could travel to Asia.
- Energy Trading
Alkagesta brings EU ETS allowances onto one desk with SAF and biofuels
Ship & Bunker reports that the Malta-based trader now offers EU ETS allowances alongside CORSIA-eligible SAF and biofuels, as ETS2 and ReFuelEU widen compliance obligations.


