🌏 Trade Lane Update: A3S Service Changes May Impact Shekou to East Coast Shipments

The global shipping landscape continues to evolve quickly, and we’re keeping a close eye on developments that may affect our clients’ supply chains.

🔄 COSCO/OOCL/ANL Cancel A3S Sailing (Week 1, June)
We’ve received notice that COSCO/OOCL/ANL have cancelled their A3S service sailing from Shekou to the East Coast scheduled for the first week of June. The 5,000+ TEU vessel originally planned for this route is being redirected to the US trade lane, reflecting broader industry shifts in capacity deployment.

📦 Space Tightening & Rate Increases Ahead
With one less vessel available and a high-volume ship removed from this lane; we anticipate tight space ex Shekou to East Coast for early June. Other carriers are already signaling rate increases starting from June.

🇺🇸 US Tariff Policy Driving Market Shifts
The recent temporary 90-day US tariff exemption has sparked a surge in cargo demand to the US. To meet this demand, many vessels have been reallocated from other routes, including China–Australia, to the US trade. This strategic shift could have ripple effects across global networks.

⚠️ Potential Port Congestion & Container Shortages
With this increased US-bound activity, there is a heightened risk of port congestion in the US, which may delay container turnarounds. Should containers not return to origin ports on time, we could see a container shortage in the China market, further tightening supply.

🇨🇳➡️🇦🇺 Implications for China–Australia Trade
While the China–Australia route is usually affected more gradually; current signs suggest that both rates and space availability may become increasingly volatile. We advise clients to plan proactively and allow extra flexibility when scheduling shipments.

📞 Need Help with Your Bookings?
As always, our team at Transitainer WA is here to assist.  Reach out to your Transitainer contact today.

Let’s stay ahead of these changes together. 🚢