Carrier Rate Hikes Bolster Transpacific Spot Prices

The Transpacific shipping market has reversed a prolonged downtrend, with spot rates rising in both the Asia-to-US west coast and Asia-to-US east coast trades. This follows consecutive weeks of falling rates, but recent tariff increases imposed by carriers have given the market a boost.

According to Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) data, the Shanghai-to-Los Angeles leg showed a noticeable rise compared to the prior week. The rate increases reflect carrier attempts to restore cargo profitability, with many raising freight tariffs or adjusting surcharges.

Despite this positive movement, market watchers warn that the rise may be fragile. Demand remains soft in many sectors of import, and blank sailings or overcapacity in some routes could dampen the recovery. Carriers will need both sustained demand and disciplined capacity deployment to prevent a slide back into weakness.
For shippers and forwarders, the moment offers a window of reprieve, but uncertainty over just how long rates can hold may influence decisions about contract negotiations, routing, and inventory. If demand does not strengthen or if carriers over-expand again, the recent gains may be reversed.