Commercial Times (18 Sep and 19 Sep 2026 editions) reports that the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) rose 25.65 points, or 0.70%, to 3,687.83 on 18 September — an eighth consecutive weekly increase. The US trades again led: Far East to US West Coast 40ft rose USD 221 (+3.01%) to USD 7,560; Far East to US East Coast rose USD 100 (+0.95%) to USD 10,579. The paper notes US-lane strength has now run eight weeks since late July.
Asia–Europe moved the other way. Far East–Europe 40ft fell USD 255 (−6.48%) to USD 3,683; Mediterranean 40ft fell USD 230 (−5.34%) to USD 4,074. Near-sea Southeast Asia and Korea rose, while Japan eased slightly. Forwarders told Commercial Times that market quotes for 18–30 September remain elevated: roughly USD 6,200–8,300 per 40ft to the US West Coast, about USD 9,000-plus to USD 12,500 to the East Coast, and about USD 3,500–4,200 to Europe.
On carrier pricing, Commercial Times (19 Sep) says Evergreen and Wan Hai sought West Coast increases of about USD 300–400 from 15 September, while Yang Ming sought about USD 650, narrowing the gap with Evergreen. Forwarders cited five supports for short-term US firmness: Asian port congestion, low Panama Canal water levels, seasonal demand, pre–National Day (1 Oct) export rush, and carrier capacity control — plus bunker and canal-related surcharge upside. As Golden Week nears, some carriers are also offering promotional loads to fill holiday sailings; treat those as case-by-case, not a broad rate reset.