Source: Supply Chain Dive
Date: 12th August 2026 

Sustained U.S. import volumes are keeping transpacific ocean freight rates elevated, with Asia–U.S. East Coast spot rates reaching $9,144 per FEU as the early peak shipping season extends into August.

Ocean freight rates from Asia to the United States remain elevated as stronger-than-expected import volumes extend what had initially been expected to be an early and relatively compressed peak season.

As of August 11, spot rates from Asia to the U.S. East Coast reached $9,144 per FEU, up 1% from the previous week. Asia–U.S. West Coast rates recorded a sharper weekly increase of 11%, reaching $6,826 per FEU.

The continued strength comes despite significant cargo frontloading earlier in the year, when retailers and importers moved merchandise ahead of changes to U.S. tariffs and wider supply chain uncertainty.

U.S. import volumes remain strong. Major U.S. container ports are projected to handle approximately 2.21 million TEUs in July and 2.22 million TEUs in August, keeping volumes close to May’s peak of around 2.24 million TEUs.

Imports are currently forecast to ease to approximately 2.16 million TEUs in September.

Rather than producing one concentrated traditional peak, this year’s import activity has therefore been spread across several months.

Tariff uncertainty has played an important role. Temporary Section 122 tariffs expired on July 23, followed by a new round of Section 301 tariffs on July 24, encouraging businesses to adjust purchasing and shipping schedules.

Retailers have also been positioning inventory for the back-to-school and year-end holiday seasons.

Transpacific rates show resilience. Another notable development is the divergence between transpacific and Asia–Europe freight markets.

Earlier in the peak season, rates across the two major east-west corridors generally moved in similar directions. More recently, transpacific pricing has demonstrated greater resilience.

The considerable difference between East and West Coast rates also highlights the importance of assessing routing options individually rather than relying on broader global freight trends.

The extended peak season demonstrates how tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty are changing traditional shipping patterns.

Importers are increasingly moving cargo according to trade-policy developments, available capacity and inventory requirements, rather than following conventional seasonal schedules.

For companies sourcing heavily from Asia, transportation budgets based on expectations of declining rates after an early peak season may therefore need to be reassessed.

September will be an important indicator of whether the transpacific market begins to soften.

If imports decline toward the projected 2.16 million TEUs, pressure on vessel capacity and freight rates could gradually ease.

However, recent market behaviour shows that tariff developments and changing supply chain conditions can quickly alter cargo flows.

What This Means

• Businesses moving cargo from Asia to the United States should continue monitoring rates rather than assuming peak-season pressure has ended.
• The difference between $9,144 per FEU to the East Coast and $6,826 per FEU to the West Coast may also justify reviewing alternative routings, taking into account inland transportation costs, transit times and final destinations.
• For September and beyond, maintaining flexibility in booking and routing decisions remains important.

Traditional peak-season calendars are becoming less reliable as tariffs, geopolitical developments and strategic inventory decisions increasingly influence when cargo moves.

For shippers, visibility, flexible routing and early planning are becoming increasingly important for managing transportation costs and responding to rapidly changing market conditions.