Global freight markets have remained largely steady in the wake of recent tariff announcements, signaling a stark contrast to the rush-to-ship patterns seen earlier this year. Unlike previous cycles, when shippers accelerated cargo movement to beat tariff deadlines, the lead-up to the August 7 implementation date has shown little urgency.
Trans-Pacific rates to the U.S. West Coast have held firm at around $2,300 per forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU) for three straight weeks, with only minor day-to-day fluctuations. East Coast rates, however, have continued their gradual decline, dropping 4% to $3,950 per FEU — marking a sixth consecutive week of decreases. Trans-Atlantic lanes also remain stable at roughly $1,900 per FEU.
Industry sources point to a combination of capacity management measures and shipper caution as key factors. Ongoing blank sailings have reduced available sailings on eastbound lanes from Asia, while some exporters are delaying container movements and using port facilities as de facto storage until tariff-related uncertainties clear.
Rates from certain origins have been largely unaffected, with Vietnam and India seeing minimal change since early August. In contrast, Indonesian lanes — facing a 19% tariff from August 7 — recorded an 8% rate increase.
A 90-day tariff extension for China could spark a short-term demand uptick, though analysts expect any rebound to be modest compared to prior peak seasons due to earlier frontloading. In European trades, Asia–North Europe rates remain steady at approximately $3,400 per FEU despite congestion, while Asia–Mediterranean prices have dipped 4% to $3,263 per FEU, falling below North Europe levels for the first time since late 2024.
This sustained stability across multiple routes suggests that many shippers have already executed their tariff mitigation strategies earlier in the year, leaving little room — or urgency — for another large-scale pre-deadline surge.
