In aswift and powerful response to last weekend’s preliminary US-Chinatrade agreement, spot rates on the eastbound trans-Pacific trade laneare climbing fast — signaling a dramatic revival in one of globalshipping's most critical corridors.
Trade Thaw Ignites Rate Hikes
Freight forwarders are reporting General Rate Increases (GRIs) ofapproximately $1,000 per FEU for shipments to both US coastseffective May 15, as demand spikes in the wake of the tariff easing.Sources say that June 1 could bring an additional $1,000 to $3,000increase, and some shippers are already securing space at $6,000 perFEU or higher just to ensure loading.
Major players like CV International and Jefferies analysts confirmthe surge is straining the system, with vessel space now a high-valuecommodity. Asia–West Coast spot rates are being quoted around$3,000 per FEU, with East Coast prices closer to $4,000 — wellabove averages just a month ago.
A Capacity Crunch in the Making
The sharp shift in market dynamics comes after months of blanksailings and capacity reductions due to declining volumes fromearlier tariff disruptions. Now, carriers face the challenge ofrapidly restoring capacity. Industry giants like Hapag-Lloyd andMaersk are already reversing prior cutbacks and reintroducing largervessels to meet resurgent demand.
“We’re witnessing a compressed surge in cargo volumes that hadbeen held back since early April,” said Charles van der Steene,President of Maersk North America. “The challenge lies inrepositioning assets that were redeployed globally.”
Agility is Key as Smaller Carriers Re-Enter the Market
Industry observers expect nimble carriers — many of whom gainedground during the COVID-era disruptions — to reenter aggressively,taking advantage of this profitable moment. As Peter Friedmann of theAgriculture Transportation Coalition noted, “Smaller carriers thatwere quick to adapt during the pandemic are poised to act again.”
West Coast in Focus Amid Factory Restarts
The West Coast is gaining favor among US importers thanks to itsshorter transit times and quicker customs clearance. Still, shippersface delays due to Chinese factory restarts, as many manufacturersare just beginning to ramp up operations after temporary shutdownsduring the tariff uncertainty.
“There’s urgency, but manufacturing delays may slow theresponse,” warned MOL Consolidation’s Stephen Nothdurft.“Importers are racing against the 90-day window provided by thetrade cooling-off period.”
Data Confirms the Upswing
According to PIERS, a unit of S&P Global, US containerizedimports from Asia rose 3.9% in April over March — with Chineseimports alone up 5.8%. This reflects not only early signs of tradethaw but a possible pre-tariff shipment rush.
What This Means for Your Business
For shippers and logistics managers, timing is everything. Withvessel space tightening and rates climbing, proactive bookingstrategies and agile supply chain planning are essential. As globalconditions continue to evolve, Worldtop & Meta is here to helpyou stay informed, competitive, and resilient.
📦 Need expert support securing space or planning yourlogistics strategy amid market volatility? Contact Worldtop &Meta today.
