The Weekly Current

General

Although the final outcome of the tariffs has yet to be fully resolved, the past few days have allowed us to reflect on recent developments and begin looking ahead to potential implications still on the horizon.

With a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs now in effect, we anticipate movement in negotiations with other countries. Some cargo remains held at origin, and while rates continue to trend downward, the bigger question is how capacity will be impacted during this period.

Much work remains in the months ahead. Stay tuned and connected with OCEANAIR as we continue to monitor and navigate this evolving situation.

Imports

Higher U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods have triggered a sharp decline in demand for eastbound trans-Pacific shipping, resulting in a spike in blank sailings and underutilized vessels — with some ships leaving China less than half full.

In response, some carriers are suspending services, while others are redirecting capacity to high-demand lanes such as Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean. This ongoing shift in sourcing is expected to put pressure on logistics networks and equipment availability in alternative origin markets.