Shippabo Global Newsletter June 2026

SUMMARY

The transpacific market has entered a sharp early peak season driven by import frontloading ahead of tariff uncertainty and Hormuz-driven fuel surcharges. Import bookings from China and Southeast Asia surged 11% and 10% for the week of May 11 per Vizion, sending spot rates to 12-month highs as of June 1 with space across major origin ports essentially sold out.

• June 1 PSS introductions spiked transpacific rates sharply; a second surcharge wave for June 15 is already confirmed, compounding importer cost exposure.
• Forwarders are advising customers to book at least three weeks in advance — even premium express services out of major Chinese ports are sold out through June.

CAPACITY & CONGESTION

Carriers deployed 10–15% blank sailings to support mid-May GRIs, with Drewry projecting 47 blanked departures through early July. Container space out of Ningbo, Qingdao, Xiamen, and Southeast Asian ports is extremely tight, with availability four or more weeks out. The Strait of Hormuz backlog is creating empty container shortages at Asian origin sites. July planned capacity is set to climb to approximately 2.3M TEUs — the highest in three and a half years per Xeneta eeSea — which should provide partial relief.

• Vietnam–US lanes continue to face controlled allocations; Southeast Asian hub congestion is adding departure delays across Asia–US services.
• Empty container availability is tightening at origin ports due to Hormuz repositioning constraints — build additional lead time into June and July bookings.

PRICING & RATES

North Asia to US East Coast spot rates rose 19% in a single week to reach 12-month highs as of June 1, per Platts; West Coast rates climbed 15% week-on-week. Bunker fuel costs are up more than 70% since the Middle East war began, driving emergency surcharges that became the primary rate catalyst in April. PSS introductions of $500–$1,000 per FEU took effect June 1; at least two carriers have announced a second wave of $1,200–$2,000 per FEU effective June 15.

• Bullet rates have been eliminated; carriers are holding shippers to minimum quantity commitments and applying FAK premiums on overage cargo.
• EFS, EBS, and PSS surcharges are now layered on transpacific lanes; June 15 additions will further widen the contracted-to-spot cost gap.

LANE & MARKET INTELLIGENCE

Southeast Asian origins — Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia — continue to gain transpacific market share as China-direct bookings navigate tariff complexity and an approaching Section 122 expiry on July 24. Per Freightos, Asia–Europe trade is growing year-over-year as Chinese exports diversify. Schedule reliability on China–USWC remains challenged by fog delays at North China ports and Southeast Asian hub congestion.

• Importers sourcing from Vietnam or Southeast Asia should book 4–6 weeks out; controlled allocations make last-minute space unavailable on peak sailings.
• The July 24 Section 122 expiry creates a planning variable — importers with Q3 orders should factor potential tariff changes into booking timing and inventory strategy.

COMMENTARY

With early peak season in full effect and low-priced space essentially gone, importers must secure July and August sailings now. Contracted shippers should confirm allocations and understand their MQC exposure before June 15 surcharges take effect. Hormuz fuel costs, tight equipment, and tariff deadline uncertainty make this one of the most complex June markets in recent memory. Shippabo is actively monitoring capacity and managing carrier relationships across all transpacific and Asia–North America lanes — contact your account team today.