Tariff Truce Sparks Cargo Rush on China–U.S. Route

By Maria Kalamatas | The Logistic News – Cargo Section

Shanghai, China – May 19, 2025

“Everyone’s racing the clock. It’s not about forecasts — it’s about getting goods out while the door is still open.”
— Freight operations director, Shanghai export terminal

Sudden Spike Disrupts Shipping Rhythms

In a turn few anticipated this sharply, the temporary easing of trade tariffs between China and the United States has unleashed a wave of transpacific shipments. Within days of the announcement, Chinese ports reported a threefold increase in outbound bookings, with freight forwarders scrambling to allocate space and carriers reactivating idle slots.

What was intended as a 90-day breathing space for diplomacy has become a logistical sprint, as American importers seize the opportunity to move goods at reduced cost before tariffs potentially return.

Terminals, Schedules, and Capacity Reaching Limits

Container yards in Shanghai, Ningbo, and Shenzhen are now operating near full capacity, with vessels overbooked and truck lines stretching outside gates. Several carriers have deployed larger vessels or added stopgap services, but planners admit they’re improvising under pressure.

“Schedules that worked two weeks ago don’t anymore. We’re adjusting in real time,” said a senior scheduler for a major Asian carrier.

Some shipments originally slated for late June are now being expedited to sail before the month’s end, even if that means partial loads or redirected ports of call. The knock-on effects are beginning to ripple into port operations in Long Beach, Seattle, and New York.

A Fragile Equilibrium

Retailers, electronics importers, and consumer goods suppliers are among the most active in this surge. They’re stockpiling before uncertainties return — not only from tariffs, but from capacity strain, inflation, and rising fuel costs.

Spot freight rates on the Asia–US route have started to climb, and logistics consultants caution that if the trend continues, delays and bottlenecks could reappear by mid-June.

Yet optimism remains cautious. “It’s a boom — but it’s a boom with a timer,” said one U.S. apparel importer. “After 90 days, no one knows what comes next.”

The Logistic News – Cargo Section
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