Retail optimism boosts container rates Asia → United States

Spot rates on the transpacific (Asia to US flow) are on the rise again, a sign that American importers are gradually returning to the market to replenish their stocks after the holidays. The latest data cited by analyst Freightos shows a notable increase in prices: the American West Coast is climbing to around ,757/FEU (+5%), while the East Coast is rising to $4,033/FEU (+7%). In the industry, this movement is seen as a change of tone: retailers seem less wait-and-see than at the end of the year, with a desire to secure space before the next sequences of demand.
Another important point: the acceleration is coming earlier than usual as the Lunar New Year approaches, which reinforces the idea of an advanced restocking cycle. Projections of maritime imports into the United States also provide an indication: January is announced to be higher compared to December (the first monthly increase in several months), even tho the level would remain lower than last year during certain periods, due to an economic context deemed uncertain.
Meanwhile, on other corridors, Asia–Europe prices are evolving differently: some trades are leveling off or remaining stable, while the transpacific is capturing attention. Result: For shippers, the window for negotiation is closing and planning is once again key — especially if companies are trying to push thru new general rate increases mid-month.