Container shipping rates on the major sea routes between Asia and the United States are rising, as limited available capacity, port congestion and ongoing geopolitical tensions continue to weigh on global supply chains.
While some shipping lines have begun gradually reinstating selected routes via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, a broader return to traditional shipping lanes has yet to materialise.
At the same time, the expiry of the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, without a permanent agreement having been reached, has kept uncertainty hanging over one of the most important maritime corridors in global trade.
Shanghai-US Routes See 9% Rise
According to the latest assessment by Drewry, the World Container Index rose by 4 per cent, reaching $4,526 per 40-foot container.
The increase was driven chiefly by Pacific routes, which recorded particularly sharp rises. The cost of shipping from Shanghai to New York climbed by 9 per cent, reaching $9,507 per container, while a comparable rise was recorded on the Shanghai–Los Angeles route, where rates reached $6,802.
The trend reflects both resilient demand and constrained supply. Shipping lines have been cancelling sailings and adjusting available capacity, reducing the space offered for cargo. Drewry reported that seven sailings on Pacific routes had been cancelled for the coming week.
Available capacity from Asia to the US East Coast fell by 9 per cent in August compared with July, while capacity on routes to the US West Coast declined by 0.4 per cent.
Further pressure may emerge from September, with some carriers having announced new surcharges for transit through the Panama Canal on routes serving the US East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico.
