Transpacific Container Rates Hold at $7,000 USWC and $8,000-$9,000 USEC as Peak Season Closes Early, Drewry WCI Stable at $4,476 per FEU Second Consecutive Week

Transpacific ocean freight rates remained elevated in the week ending September 10, with China to US West Coast rates near $7,000 per FEU and US East Coast rates at $8,000 to $9,000, according to freight market updates from J.M. Rodgers and FreightRight covering the week of September 7. Drewry's World Container Index remained stable at $4,476 per 40ft container for the second consecutive week as of September 10, following three consecutive weeks of increases in late August, according to Drewry's published index. The September 1 General Rate Increase was successfully implemented across both coasts, with another round of GRIs anticipated for September 15, and carriers have pulled approximately 20 percent of capacity through blank sailings to support rate levels, according to J.M. Rodgers. Shanghai to Los Angeles rates climbed to $7,185 per FEU according to Drewry data cited by J.M. Rodgers in their September market update. US East Coast rates remain firmer than West Coast rates due to reduced capacity and ongoing Panama Canal draft and weight restrictions, with carriers restricting heavy containers on Panama Canal routings and shifting allocations toward East Coast services despite canal constraints, according to J.M. Rodgers. The peak season is closing earlier than typical years, with the next significant ocean freight demand increase not expected to emerge until the pre-Chinese New Year shipping cycle in January, though this year's market may close the peak period at unusually high levels around $7,000 to the West Coast and $8,000 to $9,000 to the East Coast. Despite overall August demand being lower than July, three typhoons within a five-week period created significant congestion and capacity loss, with carriers maintaining omitted calls and port skipping as they work to recover schedules following typhoon disruptions. Shippers should prepare for increased late-September demand ahead of China's National Day holiday October 1-7 and secure space early, as shipments