As we move through October check out our LogiWorld logistics market update! Global freight markets remain under pressure across both ocean and air. The Transpacific trade, in particular, is facing a new round of challenges — from emerging tariff risks and new port fees to shifting carrier capacity and volatile spot rates. Importers and exporters alike are navigating an increasingly complex and fast-moving environment. At LogiWorld, our goal is to help you stay ahead of these changes with clear, timely insights and practical solutions. We’re closely monitoring developments on tariffs, carrier responses, and regional congestion so you can anticipate disruptions, safeguard your supply chain, and make confident, data-driven logistics decisions.

Transpacific Market Update – Mid-October Snapshot

Tariffs and Trade Tensions Shake the Market

The trade winds are shifting once again. Following China’s move to tighten controls on rare earth exports, the U.S. has responded with a new threat — a 100% tariff on Chinese imports starting November 1. This announcement has stirred up plenty of uncertainty across China–U.S. trade lanes.

Importers are already feeling the pressure, facing possible cost hikes and shipment delays as they look to reroute orders or source goods elsewhere. In the short term, we could see a small surge in demand and freight rates this month as shippers rush to move cargo before the new tariffs take effect.

Longer term, however, things may get bumpier. If the tariffs move forward, we could see reduced import volumes from China, blank sailings, and greater rate volatility. In fact, spot rates had already started climbing before the tariff announcement, and the added tension is likely to keep the market choppy. Carriers continue to caution about skipped port calls, rerouting, and ongoing vessel delays on the Transpacific trade.

New Port Fees Kick In — U.S. & China Countermeasures

As of October 14, both the U.S. and China have rolled out new port fees targeting each other’s vessels — another ripple in the ongoing trade tension.

In the U.S.:

Customs officials have begun collecting special taxes on China-built or Chinese-operated ships calling at American ports.

• For Chinese-owned/operated vessels, the fee starts at $50 per net ton, rising to $140 by 2028.
• For Chinese-built ships, the higher of $18 per ton or $120 per container will apply.

This could mean an extra $300–600 per container or as much as $2.5 million per voyage by 2028 for a 10,000 TEU ship. Naturally, the hardest hit will be COSCO and OOCL, who operate a large number of Chinese-built and owned vessels.

Carrier responses:

• Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd confirmed they will not add surcharges or alter their U.S. services.
• CMA CGM also stated it has adjusted its fleet ahead of time and doesn’t plan to pass on the new costs.
• COSCO/OOCL are expected to continue normal operations for now, while THE Alliance members (ONE, HMM, YML) are reportedly reviewing their vessel deployment.

In China:

Beijing responded with its own set of fees mirroring the U.S. rules — starting at $56 per net ton on U.S.-flagged or U.S.-built vessels, or those where American ownership exceeds 25%. The new rules also give China’s Ministry of Transport power to block vessels or restrict access to shipping data from countries it deems discriminatory.

Early impact will fall on Matson and CMA CGM’s EX1 service, though both carriers have said they’ll maintain current schedules and won’t apply new surcharges for now.

What to Watch

As both sides adjust, the bigger short-term impact may come from capacity shifts rather than direct surcharges. Carriers are already reassigning vessels and revising rotations, which could affect sailing frequency and transit times through year-end.

The good news? With demand still relatively soft, carriers have some flexibility to manage capacity. But if volumes rebound ahead of Chinese New Year, those cost pressures could start showing up in freight rates.

For now, it’s a waiting game — and a reminder that even in calmer waters, the Transpacific remains one of the most dynamic (and unpredictable) trades in global shipping.

Contact us today to discuss your upcoming shipments and strengthen your logistics strategy for Q4 and beyond.