# Trans-Pacific rates surge, Mediterranean weakens: China freight rates diverge **Category:** Industry News | **Source:** FreightWaves | **Published:** 2026-10-01 | **Updated:** 2026-10-22 **Tags:** China, USA, Mittelmeer, Spotrate, FEU, Freightos, Transpazifik, Seefracht, Logistik News, Transport News, Fracht News, Speditions News, Supply Chain News, Zoll News, Frachtportal News, Digitalisierung > China–US West Coast costs more than twice as much as China–Mediterranean. Capacity and disruptions are driving the gap wider. --- Two major container routes from China are currently showing a completely different picture. The Freightos Baltic Daily Index reported China to North American West Coast at USD 8,446 per FEU on September 23. One FEU corresponds to a 40-foot container. This was almost double the twelve-month average of USD 4,381. On the China–Mediterranean route, however, the index fell to USD 3,591 per FEU. In July, it had still been at USD 7,540. The rate has thus more than halved. The difference cannot be explained by demand alone. On the transpacific route, tight vessel capacity, Golden Week planning, and disruptions at Asian ports coincide. In the Mediterranean, by contrast, additional capacity is being progressively rerouted via the Suez Canal. More available space puts pressure on prices. For shippers, it is important to note that index values are not individual quotes. Surcharges, departure port, destination terminal, equipment, and free days can significantly change the final price. Even a low Mediterranean rate can be put into perspective again by local costs. --- US shipments should be booked early and confirmed on a named departure. On Mediterranean routes, there is more room for negotiation. It is worthwhile to carefully review short validities and possible blank sailings there. In short: The route determines it – there is currently no uniform "China price" at all. --- China–US West Coast was at 8,446 US dollars per FEU. The twelve-month average was 4,381 dollars. China–Mediterranean was at 3,591 dollars per FEU. The July high for the Mediterranean route was 7,540 dollars. FEU refers to a 40-foot container. The values are spot indices, not guaranteed customer prices. Capacity and port disruptions affect the routes differently. ## Related Entities ### Countries - [United States of America](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/us) - [China](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/cn) ### Seaports - [Shanghai (CNSGH)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/shanghai-port-cnsgh) - [Ningbo (CNNBO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/ningbo-port-cnnbo) - [Yantian (CN YTN)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/yantian-port-cn-ytn) ### Glossary - [Spot Rate](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/spot-rate) - [Blank Sailing](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/blank-sailing) - [Suez Canal](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/suez-canal) --- *Canonical URL: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/transpazifik-teuer-mittelmeer-schwaecher-china-raten-laufen-auseinander-20260929174125](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/transpazifik-teuer-mittelmeer-schwaecher-china-raten-laufen-auseinander-20260929174125)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/transpazifik-teuer-mittelmeer-schwaecher-china-raten-laufen-auseinander-20260929174125](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/transpazifik-teuer-mittelmeer-schwaecher-china-raten-laufen-auseinander-20260929174125)*