By Maria Kalamatas | August 8, 2025
Shanghai, August 8 — Spot rates for shipping containers from Asia to the U.S. continue to slide, as vessel space outpaces actual cargo demand. Since early June, rates to the U.S. West Coast have dropped by 58%, while East Coast lanes have seen a 46% decline.
“The volume isn’t missing — it’s shifting,” says a senior analyst at SeaRoute Metrics. “And not always where carriers expect.”
Shipping lines have added extra sailings to Latin America and Europe, redirecting vessels to routes with steadier demand. China’s exports remain strong to regions outside the U.S., easing the blow from weakening North American orders.
Carriers Adjust as Tariffs Bite
New U.S. tariff measures have weighed on demand, particularly for electronics and consumer goods. Some exporters are rerouting via Mexico or delaying shipments entirely. Meanwhile, capacity utilization still hovers around 86–87%, thanks to longer transit times and redirected flows.
For now, ocean carriers appear to be absorbing the impact without sharp service cuts. But rate volatility is likely to continue through the rest of the quarter, especially if geopolitical uncertainty in the Red Sea worsens.
