Asia‑US East Coast rates reach $10,565/FEU, a 2026 high

Market Context & Direct Impact

Transpacific rates rose again in what is meant to be a slow season. Freightos reported Asia-US West Coast prices up 3% to $8,368/FEU and East Coast prices up 9% to $10,565/FEU in its 28 October update, with the East Coast figure a 2026 high. The rise came despite expectations of a post-Golden Week cooldown, which matters for U.S. importers planning holiday-season inbound volumes.

Congestion and canceled sailings are holding prices up while demand signals stay mixed. FreightWaves said container rates climbed despite cooling demand, as congestion and canceled sailings supported prices. Drewry's 15 October assessment put Shanghai-to-Los Angeles at $7,884 per 40ft, up 3%, and said strong U.S. import demand continues to support high rates. Freightos also reports that some forwarders see cooling demand and more available space, and still expect a seasonal easing. Daily East Coast prices have since eased but remain about $200/FEU above the prior week. A potential strike at Los Angeles-Long Beach adds uncertainty for cargo owners.

Core Executive Takeaways

• Year high, mixed signalsFreightos's $10,565/FEU East Coast reading is a 2026 high, yet forwarders report softer demand and more available space.
• Two readings of demandDrewry sees strong U.S. import demand supporting transpacific rates, while FreightWaves ties last week's rise to congestion and canceled sailings.
• Los Angeles strike riskA possible Los Angeles-Long Beach strike adds uncertainty for cargo owners on top of the rate climb.

Strategic Playbook

1. 1
   Split budgets by coast

   Set separate West Coast and East Coast rate lines in Q4 forecasts, because the two Freightos indices rose by different amounts last week, 3% and 9%.

2. 2
   Test forwarder rate validity

   Ask forwarders how long current spot offers hold and request a fallback quote in case the Los Angeles-Long Beach labour dispute escalates.

Filed 09:26 GMT, 30 October 2026, for the first edition of 30 Oct.
As agents only.

Sources

1. Union approves LA/Long Beach port strike; container rates still under pressure - October 28, 2026 UpdateFreightos, published 28 October 2026
2. Why container rates are climbing despite cooling demandFreightWaves, published 29 October 2026
3. Drewry - Browse Recent Opinion Articles - World Container Index - 15 OctDrewry, published 15 October 2026

Claims ledger: 8 facts and where each comes from

• Asia-US West Coast prices (FBX01 weekly) increased 3% to $8,368/FEU, and Asia-US East Coast prices (FBX03 weekly) increased 9% to $10,565/FEU, a year high, in the week before the 28 October 2026 update.¹
• Transpacific ocean rates continued to climb last week during what is meant to be the slow season.¹
• Some forwarders report cooling demand and more available space, and still expect a seasonal easing in rates.¹
• Daily East Coast prices have since retreated but remained about $200 per FEU above the previous week's level.²
• Container freight rates climbed last week on major routes despite signs of cooling demand, as congestion and canceled sailings supported prices.²
• A potential strike at Los Angeles-Long Beach adds another source of uncertainty for cargo owners.²
• Drewry's World Container Index assessment of 15 October 2026: Shanghai to Los Angeles rose 3% to $7,884 per 40ft container, and Shanghai to New York fell 1% to $10,075 per 40ft container.³
• Drewry said strong US import demand continues to support high rates, as of its 15 October 2026 assessment.³

Every figure above is tied to a cited source that was checked on the day of filing. Found an error? Tell the desk.