Transpacific trade caught in US-China ‘pressure test’, but hopes for recovery remain
- A potential market recovery later this year depends on easing trade tensions and the pace of US inventory depletion
- China-based cross-border logistics provider expects the first round of inventory shortages will hit the US in May
- ‘Covid-like’ shortages and blank sailings may not lead to ‘Covid-like’ rate rebound
Caught in the crossfire of escalating US-China tariffs, transpacific shipping lines are slashing sailings and bracing for ‘Covid-like’ supply shortages — but hopes for a late-year freight market rebound persist, if trade tensions ease and US inventories run down
