Why Are US Freight Rates Rising While Europe Falls?

Same market. Two very different rate stories.

Container freight rates are moving in opposite directions.

On the Transpacific, rates are rising again.

Over the past three weeks, SCFI shows:

• Shanghai → US West Coast: +21%

• Shanghai → US East Coast: +19%

Europe is moving the other way.

From their early-July peaks, SCFI shows:

• Shanghai → North Europe: -17%

• Shanghai → Mediterranean: -22%

The same global fleet serves both markets.

Demand remains healthy on both sides.

Yet two major trades are moving in opposite directions.

For freight planning, that gap matters.

So why are US rates rising while Europe falls?

Here are 5️⃣ signals behind the divergence:

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1️⃣ The Transpacific rebound is real