June 5th, 2025 – Trans-Pacific container spot rates are climbing at a pace now exceeding the spring 2021 pandemic boom, as import volumes from Asia spike in response to a temporary pause on tariff hikes imposed by the Trump administration. The market is responding rapidly, with ocean carriers pushing through aggressive general rate increases (GRIs) that began June 1st, with two more planned for mid-June and July.
Sport rates for this week have been reported in the low $6,000s per FEU to the U.S. West Coast and in the low $7,000s to the East Coast. While rate indexes often lag by a week or two, they’re already showing significant jumps. According to S&P Global’s Platts, rates to the West Coast surged 33% in a week to $5,600 per FEU, and East Coast rates rose 25% to $6,500. Since mid-April, West Coast rates have climbed 173%, and East Coast rates have doubled – a steeper ascent than during the early 2021 recovery.
Carriers are capitalizing on this rate momentum while they can, however, the wave of new vessel capacity entering the market – including extra-loaders and added services – may soon curb further rate hikes. Analysts expect June and July to see a combined injection of 397,000 TEUs of capacity on Asia–U.S. lanes, particularly to the West Coast.
This import surge is heavily concentrated in Southern California. Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which handle about half of all U.S. Asian imports, are preparing for sharp increases in loaded TEUs. Los Angeles is forecasting volumes to rise from 92,000 TEUs this week to over 112,000 by mid-June. Long Beach expects weekly imports to top 90,000 TEUs in the last half of the month.
The temporary tariff relief is fueling the urgency. One pause, impacting most countries except China, ends July 9th. A second, on Chinese goods facing tariffs as high as 145%, expires in mid-August. That steep rate has temporarily been reduced to 30%, prompting a rush to import before duties increase.
Bookings out of Southeast Asia remain strong. Although China-origin bookings have eased slightly following a spike after the May 12th announcement, volumes remain steady enough to sustain pressure on rates.
With so much frontloading, an earlier, more compressed peak season is predicted – beginning now and peaking in late June. Carriers are holding back on peak season surcharges for now, focusing instead on locking in spot rate gains and securing contract cargo for when volumes inevitably decline later this summer.
Trans-Border will continue to monitor the situation and advise customers accordingly. Should you have any questions, contact us or give us a call at 518-785-6000.
