Transpacific freight rates and US truck tonnage show resilience

Transpacific freight rates are expected to remain elevated through the Lunar New Year in early February 2027. Despite a brief dip, rates have shown resilience due to robust US import demand, record-high import volumes at major US ports, low inventory levels, and optimistic consumer demand. Evergreen general manager Wu Kuand Hui noted that strong US routes are supporting rates at a premium compared to Asia-Europe routes. Additional factors influencing these rates include blank sailings by carriers, congestion at Asian ports, and higher oil prices.

In the domestic trucking sector, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) reported that September truck freight tonnage rose 0.8% from August, reaching an index reading of 114. While the third quarter saw overall weakness, ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello noted that capacity is contracting due to regulatory and market factors, which is creating a better market for motor carriers despite soft tonnage levels. Year-to-date, freight tonnage is up 0.9% compared to the same period in 2025.