China-to-us Cargo Bookings Surge After Tariff Truce, Ports Face Congestion

Container ship bookings from China to the U.S. have surged after a 90-day tariff truce was declared. This has led to traffic jams at Chinese ports and factories. U.S. importers are rushing to get goods in before tariffs potentially reset. The increased demand is causing ship owners to adjust schedules. Some companies are prioritizing long-term contracts due to limited space. Average bookings soared 277% in a recent week. Factories are booking previously frozen cargo headed to U.S. stores. While a surge of arrivals is expected at U.S. West Coast ports, experts do not foresee a COVID-level disruption. Spot rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles have increased. However, they remain lower than in April 2024. The Trump administration confirmed that the U.S. rate would reset to 54% if no agreement is reached by the deadline. Retailers are prioritizing orders, considering existing tariffs. Some suppliers are flying in parts from China to stockpile them. Others are hesitant due to space and funding constraints.