By interlink | 21/05/2025

Container freight rates from Shanghai to the US have surged due to the impact of the “90-day tariff reduction period”.

Shipping Rates Soar on Trans-Pacific Routes

Over the past week, the international shipping market witnessed significant volatility as container rates from Shanghai to the US West Coast surged by 31% in just one week. According to a report released Friday by the Shanghai Shipping Exchange, this surge was primarily driven by shippers rushing to export during the 90-day tariff suspension period between the US and China.

Not only the West Coast, but container rates to the US East Coast also saw a sharp increase of 22%, reflecting a surge in demand amid limited vessel supply.

Cảng Thượng Hải - Tin tức Interlink

Shanghai Port – China’s largest seaport

Container Rate Index Continues to Reach New Highs

A report from the analytics firm Drewry yesterday also showed an escalating price trend. Specifically, the Shanghai-New York route saw a 19% increase (equivalent to $704), reaching $4,350/FEU, while the Shanghai-Los Angeles route increased by 16% ($423) to $3,136/FEU.

Drewry forecasts that freight rates on the trans-Pacific route will continue to rise next week, due to the ongoing shortage of vessel capacity.

The cause stems from trade tensions and new tariff policies.

Starting this Wednesday, tariffs on Chinese goods exported to the United States were adjusted down to 30%, a significant reduction from the 145% maintained for the previous six weeks. This unexpected move came after a joint statement from the two countries earlier this week, opening a temporary 90-day period of “pressure relief.”

The tax reduction prompted businesses to boost exports before the incentive period ended, putting significant pressure on container shipping capacity and causing freight rates to rise sharply.

Warning of supply chain congestion and disruption

According to the latest container industry report from HSBC, although shipping lines may redeploy capacity and use larger vessels in the near future, the process of relocating containers and reallocating vessels after deep capacity cuts will still take considerable time.

HSBC also warned of the potential for port congestion and domestic supply chain disruptions, a scenario that occurred during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shipping market outlook: Positive but cautious

HSBC predicts that the freight rate increases planned for mid-May and early June are likely to be maintained. In addition, the share prices of international container shipping companies have surpassed their pre-Liberation Day levels, indicating investor optimism about the short-term prospects of the shipping industry.

NEWS & BLOG

RELATED ARTICLES

12/08/2026 By interlink

VIETNAM – UK: STRENGTHENING COOPERATION IN AI, FINTECH AND LOGISTICS

The Vietnam–UK High-Level Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Financial Technology, Commodity Derivatives Markets and Logistics highlighted new opportunities for cooperation in sectors that are increasingly shaping economic growth and global integration. Logistics was identified as a key link in the global supply chain. The integration of technology, data and modern financial solutions is creating new opportunities […]

Read more
11/08/2026 By interlink

NEARLY 1 MILLION TONS OF CASHEWS FROM CAMBODIA ENTER VIETNAM: A KEY LINK IN THE GLOBAL EXPORT SUPPLY CHAIN

Vietnam continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s major cashew processing and export hubs. Notably, a significant share of the raw materials used by the industry comes from abroad, with Cambodia emerging as Vietnam’s most important source of supply. According to data from the first seven months of 2026: • Vietnam’s cashew […]

Read more
03/07/2026 By interlink

INTERLINK PARTICIPATES IN OLO CONFERENCE 2026

From June 27 to 29, 2026, Interlink was honored to participate in the 10th Global Logistics Cooperation Conference (GLCC 2026) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. OLO CONFERENCE 2026 brought together more than 900 logistics companies from over 70 countries, featuring more than 16,000 business matching sessions, making it one of the largest international logistics […]

Read more
03/07/2026 By interlink

FROM JULY 1, 2026: CUSTOMS DECLARATION ERRORS MAY RESULT IN FINES OF UP TO VND 40 MILLION

Decree No. 169/2026/ND-CP has officially taken effect, replacing Decree No. 128/2020/ND-CP with several important changes to penalties for customs violations. Key points for import and export businesses: The new regulation introduces different penalty levels ranging from VND 1 million to VND 40 million, depending on the nature of the violation: VND 1–2 million: Incorrect declaration […]

Read more
08/05/2026 By interlink

OFFICIAL: May 6 Recognized as Vietnam Logistics Day

The Minister of Industry and Trade has officially issued Decision No. 1065 dated May 6, 2026, recognizing Vietnam Logistics Day and Vietnam Logistics Week. Under the decision, May 6 each year will be officially recognized as Vietnam Logistics Day, while the week including May 6 will be designated as Vietnam Logistics Week. According to the […]

Read more
08/05/2026 By interlink

VIETNAM OFFICIALLY WELCOMES THE LARGEST CONTAINER “GIANT” IN ITS NATIONAL FLEET

With a total investment of nearly VND 3 trillion, the container vessel Haian Beta has officially become the new giant of Vietnam’s maritime transport industry. • Deadweight of over 24,000 DWT• Capacity of nearly 1,800 TEUs• Height equivalent to a 15-story building• Maximum speed of 18.5 knots This vessel is part of the fleet expansion […]

Read more
08/05/2026 By interlink

IRAN TIGHTENS CONTROL OVER THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ WITH NEW “NO MAIL – NO PASSAGE” SYSTEM

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Iran has officially introduced a new mechanism to regulate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most strategic shipping chokepoints. Under the new system, all vessels intending to transit the strait must first receive official guidance via email and obtain prior authorization before […]

Read more
05/05/2026 By interlink

MSC LAUNCHES NEW SHIPPING ROUTE TO BYPASS HORMUZ STRAIT, ENSURING GLOBAL TRADE FLOW

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most critical maritime routes—global container shipping leader Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has swiftly introduced a new logistics solution to mitigate risks and maintain supply chain stability. Specifically, MSC has launched the Europe – Red Sea – Middle East Express service, connecting European ports […]

Read more
07/04/2026 By interlink

MAERSK Officially Welcomes the “BRISBANE MÆRSK” Ship – A New Step in the Global Green Transportation Journey

Maersk Group has officially welcomed the “Brisbane Mærsk” to its fleet of green methanol-fueled vessels – marking a significant milestone in its sustainable shipping strategy. This new step demonstrates Maersk’s strong commitment to reducing carbon emissions and aiming for net-zero emissions by 2040. The “Brisbane Mærsk” is designed with state-of-the-art technology, using green methanol fuel […]

Read more
04/04/2026 By interlink

Transporting 2 Super-Heavy Press Machines from Korea: The “Direct Loading” Method Saving 25% in Costs

PROJECT OVERVIEW Interlink successfully managed the transportation of 02 super-heavy press machines imported from South Korea, weighing 48 tons and 59 tons per unit respectively. The shipment traveled from a Korean port to a factory located in My Phuoc 3 Industrial Park, Vietnam. The project demanded a logistics solution that guaranteed absolute safety while optimizing […]

Read more

Contact Us

Get Solutions Now

We respond to all requests within 24 hours.

0937 48 18 98

    Full Name *
    Email Address *
    Phone Number *
    Service Type *
    Message *