Container freight rates from China to the US west coast rose by nearly one-quarter last week as shippers sought to beat additional tariffs expected from 1 October.
But rising transpacific freight rates ahead of peak season contrast with the Asia to Europe trade, where weaker demand is leading lines to cull services.
Rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles rose 23% to $1,685 per 40-ft (feu) container in the week to 5 September, according to the World Container Index (WCI).
