Container bookings placed in the United States for shipments from China jumped 277 percent, seven days after a temporary rollback of reciprocal tariffs between the two countries, container-tracking software provider Vizion said on Wednesday.
The average bookings as of May 14 soared 277 percent to 21,530 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), compared to 5,709 TEUs for the average for the seven days that ended on May 5, Reuters reported, citing Ben Tracy, Vizion's vice president of strategic business development.
A Shanghai-headquartered international logistics service provider that partners with over 100 major shipping lines globally has also seen momentum pick up in recent days.
It reported that freight rates from Shanghai to the East Coast of the U.S. for a 40-foot container have already climbed to between 4,000 and 4,200 U.S. dollars.
"This chart shows the pricing trend for shipping from Shanghai to the East Coast of the U.S. The yellow line represents the rate for shipping a 40-foot general-purpose (GP) container. From May 15, there's a clear increase of about 500 to 700 U.S. dollars. Between May 15 and May 31, the rates are expected to remain relatively firm," said Lei Lei, a staff member responsible for U.S. and Canada-bound routes at a logistics service platform.
Cross-border e-commerce sellers have moved swiftly in response. Sellers in sectors like furniture, fitness equipment, and mechanical components rush to secure bookings and replenish overseas warehouses within the 90-day "window period." Traditional exporters are expected to reach peak shipping volume after June.
As demand rapidly intensifies, shipping companies are racing to restore routes and bring back capacity.
"By the end of May, we will see a lot of route realignments and the resumption of vessels working overtime. We expect capacity to be back to pre-tariff-hike levels by early June. June and July are usually a modest peak season for U.S.-bound shipments, and combined with previously delayed cargo, freight rates are likely to remain on the rise from late May through early June, and throughout July," said Lei.
U.S.-bound ocean cargo bookings from China surge 277 pct
U.S.-bound ocean cargo bookings from China surge 277 pct
Israel launched a preemptive strike on Iran early Friday, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, senior military leaders and research scientists in a major escalation against Tehran.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed in a statement that its jets have completed the first-stage attack, notably strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video address that the goal of the ongoing operation is "to strike Iran's nuclear infrastructure, Iran's ballistic missile factories, and Iran's military capabilities," and will continue "for as many days as it takes."
Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami and Deputy Army Commander Gholam-Ali Rashid were martyred as a result of the airstrikes, the official news agency IRNA reported.
The Israeli airstrikes also killed two Iranian nuclear scientists, identified as Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, the report said. However, the Iranian side has denied reports that Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri was killed in the Israeli airstrikes, according to IRNA. A spokesman for the Iranian Armed Forces said that Israel, with the support of the United States, launched attacks on many places in Iran, including residential areas, and will pay a "heavy price" for this, and await strong response from the Iranian armed forces.
Explosions were reported in Tehran and counties of Natanz, Khondab and Khorramabad, the Iranian state TV reported, adding that multiple casualties, including women and children, were reported in a residential building in Tehran.
Both Israel and Iran closed their airspace following the attack. Israel has declared a nationwide state of emergency.
In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied any U.S. assistance or involvement in the "unilateral" attack, adding that Israel had told Washington that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defense.
Earlier on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump warned of a possible "massive conflict" in the Middle East, saying that "I don't want them going in" as a new round of Oman-mediated negotiations between the United States and Iran will be held in Muscat Sunday.
"I want to have an agreement with Iran. We're fairly close to an agreement ... As long as I think there is an agreement, I don't want them going in because that would blow it," he told reporters in the White House.
Israel launches preemptive strike on Iran, killing military leaders
