Nine carriers¡ªincluding ZIM, ONE, HMM, and newcomers like KMTC¡ªare scrambling to add new routes, revived services, and extra loaders on the U.S. trade lane after tariff cuts triggered a cargo surge. Key upgrades target West Coast ports like L.A. and Long Beach.
Container shipping rates on U.S. routes soared by up to 31% in a week, driven by urgent demand as importers rush to beat the 90-day tariff suspension window. Analysts warn of prolonged hikes due to capacity shortages, while Europe-Asia trade remains sluggish.
Proper container loading ensures cargo safety, compliance, and efficiency. This guide covers essential tips¡ªmixing different goods, weight distribution, mechanical vs. manual loading, and avoiding common mistakes like overloading or imbalance. Master these skills to prevent damage, customs delays, and costly errors.
The recent U.S.-China tariff reductions have sparked a massive wave of orders from American buyers, causing a sudden spike in shipping demand. Logistics companies report a 3-4x increase in bookings, with U.S.-bound vessels nearing full capacity. Cross-border sellers are rushing to ship goods within the 90-day tariff relief window, fearing future policy changes.
Major carriers have announced steep rate hikes on US routes, with June rates reaching $6,000+/FEU as peak season demand collides with tariff uncertainty.Confirmed Carrier IncreasesCarrierEffective DateRate Hike (40¡¯)New Total Rate (40¡¯)MatsonMay 22+$1,5005,200¨C5,200¨C5,800 (China¡úUS)MSCJune 1+1,600¨C1
Immediate Update (May 2025):Maersk has announced the suspension of all store door/door (multimodal) services in Haiti effective May 8, limiting operations to port-to-port (CY/CY) only until further notice.Key Details:Scope of Suspension:Paused: Trucking, inland transport, last-mile deliveryAllowed:
Extended Free Storage for North America-bound Export ContainersPeriod: May 15 ¨C July 31, 2025Eligible Cargo: Standard dry containers (excludes hazardous goods, reefers, OOG, and heavy-lift cargo)Benefit: Free storage period extended to 30 days at Nansha PortFlexible Container Entry & StorageNo time
US-West Coast rates hold at 2,790/FEU while Europe plunges to 2,130/FEU¡ªa 52% vs 8% drop since January. Trump's tariffs and blank sailings reshape global freight dynamics.
President Trump declared a US-Houthi ceasefire on May 6, potentially reopening Red Sea routes. If confirmed, this could release 1-2M TEU of capacity currently diverted via Africa.
