Global container shipping rates show stability marks after months of fluctuations that depend on customs tariffs, although industry expectations warn of sharp declines.
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The Drewry container index decreased by 3 % this week to $ 2350 per container 40 feet, which represents a weekly decrease in a row. The market was turbulent since the US tariff ads in April sent prices to a rise from May to early June before a sharp drop to mid -July. Now, this descending slide loses momentum while facilitating immediate rate fluctuation.
The Transpacific Corridors were particularly soft this week: the prices of Shanghai -Los Angeles fell by 2 % to $ 2,494 per Feu, while Shanghai -New York decreased by 5 % to $ 3638 per Feu. The Deriri analysts expect the calm trend to continue in the short term, noting that the rush of shipping before the fire has passed largely.
This stability follows a significant increase in US imports in July 2025. Descartes stated that container sizes increased by 18.2 % a month, reaching the second highest level ever. Shipping from China led the increase, with 44.4 % of June jumped and raised its share of the total US imports to 35.2 %, an increase of 28.8 %.
“Spike in July highlights how the American tariff policy – not only seasonal courses – is the formation of container trade,” said Jackson Wood, director of industry strategy in Descartes.
However, expectations for the second half of 2025 are dark. Drewry container projects in the balanced weakness containers for demand and demand and more modified contractions. Analysts are citing uncertainty about the Trump administration tariff and possible sanctions on Chinese ships as major risks.
The National Federation of Retail expects that US container imports will end 2025, a decrease of 5.6 % from last year, despite the growth of 3.7 % in the first half. Expectations show a sharp decrease on an annual basis: 5 % in August, 19.5 % in September, 18.9 % in October, 21.1 % in November, and 19.3 % in December. A total of 1.71 million units for counterfeiting calories in November will be the lowest monthly volume since April 2023.
Industry analyst John McCan warned that the shrinkage may extend through the broader economy. “These illogical definitions and sharp USTR fees are an attack on the trade itself.” “The large decreases can only help reduce growth.”
The main trade dates add to the uncertainty: the abolition of August 29 of the minimum exemption, the resort of October 15 from the truce of the US tariff and the United States, and the new mutual definitions that affect more than 60 countries.
