Situation

The status quo remains: Vessel utilization is high, and ships bound for the US East Coast are fully booked three to four weeks in advance. Trade to the United States continues to increase, and according to Xeneta, spot rates on the East Coast have risen by around 300% since the start of the Middle East crisis. However, market uncertainty persists, fueling further rate increases.

Obstacles

Tariffs and changing trade policies between the EU and the US remain key concerns. Rising freight rates, fuel costs, and insurance fees are also affecting the transatlantic trade, while capacity constraints continue to pose challenges.

Outlook
While the exact impact of these risks remains uncertain, they warrant close monitoring – especially in light of political developments in the United States and the wider global geopolitical landscape.

Main Ports: North Europe to US East Coast

^{Source: Market average rates for 40‘ containers according to www.xeneta.com}

Main Ports: North Europe to US West Coast