U.S.-bound ocean cargo bookings from China surge 277 pct

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

China is ready to promote the comprehensive strategic partnership with Australia through a more proactive approach, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday.

China is willing to work with Australia to prepare for the next stage of high-level exchanges, maintain the momentum of improvement in bilateral ties and properly manage their differences, Wang said.

Wang made the remarks during a meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in the Malaysian capital on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings.

Over the past three years, China-Australia relations have stabilized, turned around and achieved positive results, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

It proves that as long as the two countries uphold a correct positioning of their partnership, bilateral relations can develop steadily and continue to yield results, Wang said.

The Chinese foreign minister noted that Australia's rational and pragmatic policy toward China serves the interests of both countries and aligns with the trend of the times.

For her part, Wong said that Australia is committed to developing a positive and pragmatic relationship with China.

Both sides are making every effort to prepare for high-level exchanges and look forward to achieving positive outcomes, she said, adding that dialogue and cooperation between Australia and China in trade, tourism and other fields have continued to make progress, and personnel exchanges have become increasingly active.

Wong noted that Australia remains firmly committed to the one-China policy and does not support "Taiwan independence."

Australia is willing to engage in candid communication and deepen cooperation with China to promote the sustained and positive development of bilateral relations, she said.

Wong said that Australia supports the central role of ASEAN and is committed to maintaining regional peace and stability.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues including the South China Sea and the Ukraine crisis.

China to take more active part in promoting comprehensive strategic partnership with Australia: FM