Carriers Plan Rate Hikes and Service Adjustments on Asia–Latin America Routes

Major container carriers are moving to adjust pricing and service networks on Asia – Latin America trade lanes amid a significant rise in deployed capacity this year, particularly to both the East and West coasts of South America. The increased supply of sailings has put pressure on freight pricing, prompting carriers to seek general rate increases while reevaluating service patterns to align with demand trends.

These planned rate hikes reflect a broader strategy to rebalance supply and demand and to protect carrier yields in secondary trade corridors where overcapacity has emerged. Carriers are also revamping their service offerings, potentially altering port calls, network rotations, and transit schedules, to better match evolving volume patterns and market requirements. The move comes as Mexico considers imposing higher tariffs on imports from China, a development that could influence trade flows and routing decisions across Asia-Latin America services.

The adjustments are expected to have implications for shippers operating on these routes, with negotiated contract rates and spot markets possibly diverging as carriers implement new pricing and service strategies ahead of 2026 contract negotiations.