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Trans-Pacific Rates Hit New Highs as Asian Port Disruptions Tighten Capacity

Spot rates on major trans-Pacific routes climbed to new highs this week, buoyed by unexpectedly resilient peak-season demand that began ahead of schedule in May. West Coast rates to the U.S. increased 2% to $7,621 per forty-foot unit, while Asia-East Coast pricing rose 2% to $9,791.

Persistent congestion at major Asian ports following a series of typhoons since mid-July is constraining effective vessel capacity across both trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe trades. Port closures at Shanghai and Ningbo have forced carriers to adjust vessel rotations and reroute cargo through transshipment hubs, compounding network backlogs.

The absence of additional tariff increases in July has supported shipper confidence, according to Freightos analyst Judah Levine. Increased ocean shipments of data-center hardware are contributing to volume growth. Ocean carriers plan to add trans-Pacific capacity in September ahead of Golden Week blank sailings, though subsequent service withdrawals may limit relief. Some carriers are evaluating low-water surcharges for Panama Canal transits, which could further pressure East Coast rates.