US-West freight rates have been plummeting, reaching figures in the twenties | Maritime export logistics
Jun 19,2025

Recently, the shipping market has seen a divergence in freight prices:
US-West route: The influx of overtime ships has led to a continued decline in freight prices, and the minimum freight price on the US Southwest route has dropped below $3,000, which has become a two-character freight price. Although volumes increased in June compared to May, they fell short of expectations. Too many overtime ships snapped up supplies, giving customers with large stocks room to negotiate.
Currently, most U.S. southwest line freight rates are about $2,950 to $3,000 per 40 cubic feet, with a slight reduction of $100 expected next week. Ship companies are increasing their investment in the Spanish-American route, and in addition to overtime ships, there are resumed flights and new routes.
In June, overtime vessels leaving Asia for the southwest United States increased by about 20 trips, such as Ocean Union vessels of Changrong added about 10 trips, Yangming added about 5 trips, and independent vessels such as Wanhai and SeaLead added about five trips each.
However, according to data company Vizion, the number of bookings on China-US routes from June 2-8 was 33% lower than the week when the reciprocal tariff was cancelled (May 12-18), and about 10% lower than the same period last year.
With US tariffs on China still high, it is difficult to restore normalcy to China-US seaborne trade, especially for low-value goods. To get goods to the U.S. before the August 14 tariff exemption deadline, shippers need to complete shipments by mid-July.
Eastern United States: Due to fewer overtime ships and little loosening of shipping rates, shipping rates for 40 cubic meters currently remain around $5,500, and may be revised slightly next week.
European routes: Reduced capacity due to some ships switching to the US route, plus factors such as port of Ceará, sent freight prices rising by $300-500 per 40 cubic feet this week to about $2,800-$3,200.
HSBC Global Research reports that freight rates are likely to come under further pressure as capacity rises while demand slows. On June 13, heightened conflict between Israel and Iran and escalating tensions in the Middle East made it unlikely that ships would return to the Red Sea anytime soon, but that might not ease concerns about capacity expansion in the Pacific.
According to shipping inquiry Linerlytica, capacity on the Southwest route to the West Coast of the United States increased 22%, and carriers cut rates this week, especially on the West America route. US freight forwarder FlexPort said new orders had slowed since early June. The National Retail Federation expects U.S. boxed imports to decline annually from May to August, and imports to fall sharply for the rest of the year.
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