Freight market update - 7 August 2025

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• With the 90-day pause now over, the deadline for imposing reciprocal tariffs is drawing near, and a two-tier system is beginning to take shape.

• Key trading partners like India and China have not yet finalized formal agreements, though an extension for China is anticipated.

• This is especially concerning as the U.S. intensifies its enforcement on transshipment activities.

• Overall capacity deployment is tightening, dropping from 80–90% in July to a projected 75–86% in August.

• MSC’s ‘America’ service, launched in partnership with Zim, is reducing capacity.

• Despite the downturn, the Port of Los Angeles posted its busiest June on record, handling 892,000 TEU — an 8% rise compared to June 2024.

• Freight rates from India (IN) to North Europe (NEU) are rising across major carriers, with similar upward adjustments seen from Bangladesh (BD) to NEU.

• Yard occupancy at Chittagong is around 90%, leading to severe backlogs.

• Container Freight Station (CFS) yards in Chittagong are operating at over 200% capacity, with roughly 60% of cargo stuck inside.

• CMA CGM is working to reinstate Karachi calls on its EPIC service, but monsoon-driven draft restrictions are hampering operations.

• The North American third-party logistics (3PL) market is steadily expanding, driven by the rise of e-commerce, higher customer expectations for fast delivery, and a growing need for end-to-end supply chain visibility.

Read on for more in-depth updates.

Asia → North America

US/CA

Transpacific Trends and Market Updates

• Freight rates from India (IN) to North Europe (NEU) are rising across major carriers, with similar upward adjustments seen from Bangladesh (BD) to NEU.
• Equipment shortages persist in inland container depots (ICDs) for certain carriers, notably HPL, HMM, and ONE.
• Heavy rainfall in North India is disrupting inland transport, especially trucking and rail services.
• Ports at Mundra and Nhava Sheva are managing better but continue to experience some delays.
• Yard occupancy at Chittagong is around 90%, leading to severe backlogs.
• Geared vessels at Chittagong are experiencing delays of 4–5 days, while gearless vessels face 8–9 days at anchorage.
• Approximately 25 vessels are currently waiting at anchorage in Chittagong.
• Container Freight Station (CFS) yards in Chittagong are operating at over 200% capacity, with roughly 60% of cargo stuck inside.
• CMA CGM is working to reinstate Karachi calls on its EPIC service, but monsoon-driven draft restrictions are hampering operations.
• Some carriers are diverting cargo to increase Pakistan-bound volumes while reducing heavier loadings from India.
• Shippers are strongly advised to book 2–3 weeks in advance to secure desired sailings.

Central China

• Shanghai (SHA): Capacity to both U.S. coasts remains steady, but extreme heat is impacting allotment reliability. Early confirmation is recommended, particularly for dense cargo.
• Ningbo (NGB): The market is balanced, with capacity determined on a case-by-case basis depending on shipment type.

North China

• Tianjin (TSN): The market remains active, with freighter services providing the most consistent uplift. Bookings should be made 4–5 days in advance.
• Dalian / Beijing (DLC / PEK): Market conditions are stable. Spot rates are available for dense shipments, but larger volumes need more lead time and may require splitting.
• Qingdao (TAO): The market is steady. Space is tighter for U.S. East Coast destinations than for the West Coast, with airlines closely managing allocations.

South China

• Guangzhou (CAN): Conditions are normal, though high summer temperatures may impact loadability.
• Shenzhen (SZX): The market remains stable, with bookings handled case-by-case by carriers.
• Xiamen (XMN): Market conditions are steady, with space confirmed by airlines based on actual flight schedules.

Turkey → North America

• Demand remains stable with no volume surge anticipated for August.
• Overall capacity deployment is tightening, dropping from 80–90% in July to a projected 75–86% in August.
• MSC’s ‘America’ service, launched in partnership with Zim, is reducing capacity.
• The fleet adjustment results in a ~12% reduction in weekly deployment and an 18% cut in overall capacity.
• The ten largest U.S. ports recorded a 7.9% year-over-year decline in inbound container volume for June — marking the second monthly decline in a row.
• Outbound container volumes also fell by 5% during the same period.
• Despite the downturn, the Port of Los Angeles posted its busiest June on record, handling 892,000 TEU — an 8% rise compared to June 2024.
• Port congestion remains manageable, with no major service disruptions reported.
• After a brief dip in July, August has brought another round of rate hikes from some carriers, pushing prices back to early July levels.
• Demand remains strong, with vessels fully booked into late August.
• Bookings made without sufficient lead time are increasingly facing extended dwell times.
• Cargo rolling is still being reported across several routes.
• Blank sailings are contributing to rate increases, especially where carriers have full vessel coverage.
• Equipment availability is mostly stable, but carriers are using equipment release strategically to manage overbooking.
• Schedule reliability is gradually improving, now averaging 68.2%, with average delays of about 4.34 days.
• Performance differs significantly by carrier: Gemini leads with 92.2% reliability, while PA trails at 33.8%; MSC has dropped to 57.7%.
• Congestion in Northern Europe remains unresolved, with ongoing delays in ports such as Rotterdam, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Antwerp, and Le Havre.
• In the UK, London Gateway continues to face severe haulier delays, prompting the introduction of new surcharges.

North America → Turkey

• With the 90-day pause now over, the deadline for imposing reciprocal tariffs is drawing near, and a two-tier system is beginning to take shape.
• Countries like the EU and Japan have reached agreements that establish a 15% baseline tariff—higher than pre-2025 levels, but far lower than the threatened 30%.
• Other nations, such as Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, are facing much higher tariffs, with certain products expected to be taxed at rates between 35% and 50%.
• Key trading partners like India and China have not yet finalized formal agreements, though an extension for China is anticipated.
• Shippers sourcing from countries with agreements now have a degree of predictability, while those importing from others face growing uncertainty and an increased risk of customs delays.
• This is especially concerning as the U.S. intensifies its enforcement on transshipment activities.
• The North American third-party logistics (3PL) market is steadily expanding, driven by the rise of e-commerce, higher customer expectations for fast delivery, and a growing need for end-to-end supply chain visibility.
• The U.S. and Canada are leading this growth, backed by strong logistics infrastructure, advanced tech adoption, and well-developed retail and manufacturing sectors.
• Automation, AI-powered logistics platforms, and cloud-based transport and warehouse management systems are rapidly transforming the 3PL landscape.
• Technologies such as autonomous forklifts and predictive analytics for route optimization are redefining how goods are moved and managed across North America.
• Although the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and labor availability, it also accelerated the adoption of 3PL solutions as companies sought greater resilience and agility.
• In the post-pandemic world, more businesses are opting for outsourced logistics models that offer scalability and adaptability in volatile market conditions.
• Increasing environmental regulations and sustainability mandates in both the U.S. and Canada are prompting logistics providers to invest in electric fleets, energy-efficient warehouses, and eco-friendly packaging.
• ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) commitments are emerging as key competitive advantages across the logistics value chain.

Terminal Updates

Vessels heading to North America via the North Atlantic Sea are expected to have a change in schedule due to severe weather conditions.

New York:

• The waiting time for all vessels calling APMT is up to 6 hours. Maher Terminals LLC reports vessel waiting times averaging around 6 hours.
• Average gate turn times are 54 minutes for single transactions and 84 minutes for double transactions at APMT terminals and 35 minutes for Maher Terminals.
• The average import rail dwell time is 1 day at APMT and 1 day at Maher Terminals.
• The last 2 cranes on APMT East berth to be operational by end of summer.

Norfolk:

• 7 hour waiting time for a berth for Gemini and Non-Gemini Vessels.
• Average gate turn times are 28 / 40 minutes for single and double transactions at NIT, and 36 / 54 minutes for single and double transactions at VIG.
• The average Import dwell time is 4.1 days.
• Crane #4 at NIT remains out of service since April 16 with no current update.

Charleston Terminal:

• 18 hours waiting time for Gemini and non-Gemini vessels at Wando Welch Terminal.
• 3 hours waiting time at North Charleston Terminal.
• Average truck turn times are 18 / 20 / 15 minutes at Wando Welch Terminal, North Charleston Terminal, and Leatherman Terminal respectively.
• Average Import dwell time is 1.6 days at North Charleston Container Terminal.
• Average Import dwell time is 1.6 days at Wando Welch Container Terminal.

Savannah:

• The average waiting time for vessel berth is 0.7 days for class 1 and 1 day for class 2 vessels.
• Average gate turn times are 33 / 50 minutes for single and double transactions respectively.
• Import dwell time is 6.8 days. Rail dwell time is 1 day.

Houston:

• Waiting time is up to 3 hours at Barbours Cut Terminal and 3 hours at Bayport Container Terminal.
• Average gate turn times are 33 / 53 minutes at Barbours Cut and 29 / 47 minutes at Bayport for single and double transactions respectively.
• Loaded import dwell time is 3.6 days at Barbours Cut and 3.5 days at Bayport.
• Yard utilization at Barbours Cut Terminal remains high.
• To maintain terminal fluidity, the Port of Houston is adjusting receiving days and cut-off times on short notice.
• Effective August 1, 2025, Excessive Import Dwell Fees will be applied to loaded refrigerated (reefer) import containers once free time expires.
• These fees will also apply during terminal truck gate closures due to scheduled terminal shutdowns.

Oakland:

• No waiting time at Oakland International Container Terminal (OICT).
• Average gate turn time is 84 minutes for OICT.
• Average import deliveries can take up to 4 days at OICT.
• Oakland International Container Terminal has 2 cranes out of order.
• The Oakland International Container Terminal will be closed on July 2 and 7, 2025.

Seattle-Tacoma:

• No waiting time at Husky Terminal or Washington United Terminal in Tacoma.
• No waiting time in Seattle.
• Import rail dwell is 2.3 days at Husky and 3 days at T18.
• The average gate turn times are 47 minutes for T18.
• Average gate turn times are 43 / 72 minutes for single and double transactions at Husky.
• Husky will offer hoot gates on July 14, 15, and 16, 2025.
• T18 and HUSKY will be closed on July 4 and 7, 2025.

Los Angeles/Long Beach:

• All terminal gates are running as published and in line with the Pier Pass program.
• Port of Los Angeles dwell time for local import cargo is 3.0 days; on-dock rail dwell is 3.0 days.
• Import units on the street are averaging 3.3 / 4.9 days for 20 ft and 40+ ft containers respectively.
• Port of Long Beach dwell times for local imports remain at 4-8 days.
• Average terminal gate turn time is between 44 - 51 minutes, depending on the terminal.

Chassis Pools

All pools are operating as normal except:

1. Chicago – Constrained on 20’ and 40’ chassis.
2. Detroit – Deficit on 45’ Chassis.
3. Kansas City - Constrained on 20’ chassis, Deficit on 40’ chassis.

Intermodal Operations

Truck power can be secured within 1-3 days for the majority of locations, including marine terminals, rail ramps, and depots.

Port Status

Final Thoughts

In light of the latest updates and trends, the market is currently in the course of showing robust performance and is equipped with ample capacity and resources. Individuals and businesses involved in import/export activities must stay well-informed about market dynamics and strategies to make informed decisions.

To ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience with your import/export operations, it is recommended to seek guidance from industry experts. Taking proactive measures and staying proactive in your approach will help you navigate the market effectively. We greatly appreciate your continued readership and encourage you to subscribe to our weekly market updates to stay abreast of the latest developments and insights.