Spot container rates from Asia to Europe fell 11% this week to $2,450 per forty-foot box, as a growing number of shipping lines resumed transits through the Red Sea and Suez Canal.

Two major carriers confirmed plans to shift a portion of their Asia-Europe capacity back to the shorter route, citing improved security assessments in the southern Red Sea.

The shift is already easing congestion at Cape of Good Hope diversion points and shortening average transit times by roughly six days on the busiest lanes.

Freight forwarders caution that rates remain volatile and could snap back higher if security conditions in the region deteriorate again before the peak autumn shipping season.