Shipping costs are rising sharply across global trade routes, and UK importers are starting to feel the impact. The Drewry World Container Index, which tracks spot container rates worldwide, has surged 70% over the past month, with a 40% spike in the past week alone, marking the highest levels seen so far in 2025.
Big Increases on Asia–US and Asia–Europe Routes
The most significant jumps have been on routes from China to the U.S., with the cost of a 40ft container to the U.S. East Coast nearing $6,000, over 1.5 times higher than last month and around three times higher than typical pre-pandemic levels.
Closer to home, Asia–Europe rates are also climbing quickly, up by more than 30% overall. Routes to Mediterranean ports have risen 38%, while rates to Northern European hubs such as Rotterdam and Hamburg are up 32%, driven by port congestion, schedule disruptions, and strikes.
What’s Causing the Disruption?
Ongoing congestion at major European ports is creating significant knock-on effects for UK-bound cargo. As of early June:
- 11 ships were waiting offshore at Rotterdam
- 4 ships were queued at Antwerp
- 6 ships were anchored at Hamburg
(Source: Lloyd’s List)
Port delays are being worsened by:
- Restructuring of global carrier alliances
- Low water levels affecting barge transport
- Labour action at key logistics hubs
Carriers are now cancelling scheduled port calls and rerouting vessels, causing delays, backlogs, and higher costs across the board.
What This Means for UK Importers
If your business imports goods from Asia or relies on European transhipment ports, these changes could:
- Extend lead times
- Increase landed costs
- Disrupt supply chain planning
Being proactive is key. At Beckchoice, we’re closely monitoring developments and working with our customers to minimise disruption, whether that means reviewing routing options, consolidating loads, or exploring alternative transport modes.
Need help navigating these changes?
Get in touch with our team today to discuss how we can support your import operations and keep your supply chain moving.
All information in this article is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of early June 2025. Market conditions and freight rates are subject to rapid change, and we recommend contacting Beckchoice for the most up-to-date advice relevant to your shipments.