Transpacific spot rates still rising but pace of gains has slowed
- Spot indices showed much lower dollar-per-feu gains this week than they did last week, immediately following the US tariff reprieve
- Transpacific spot rates are still down over 30% year on year despite recent gains, and annual comparisons will worsen in the months ahead unless rates spike
- Rates are expected to increase further, but to nowhere near the same extent seen during the Red Sea crisis and the pandemic; the duration of current rise is expected to be shorter
Spot rates in the transpacific trades were up again this week as shippers took advantage of the tariff reprieve. But upward momentum has slowed — at least temporarily —and rates remain low compared to 2024
