Following President Trump’s 90-day tariff reprieve starting April 2, transpacific shippers are rushing to move delayed cargo, creating a potential surge in demand of up to 48%, according to Sea-Intelligence. An estimated 180,000–540,000 TEU of goods in China—much of it already produced and stored—could now enter the trade lane, triggering an early and intense peak season. While some carriers are beginning to restore capacity, supply remains constrained, particularly on Asia–US west coast routes. Freight rates are expected to spike in the coming weeks as shippers rush to beat the next tariff deadline, potentially leading to more capacity shifts and fewer blank sailings in other Asia trades.
