Week 32 finds U.S. importers still facing a slow peak season as Transpacific volumes hold steady at subdued levels and carriers keep capacity tight
WHERE IS CAPACITY UTILIZATION HEADING?
Transpacific service utilization has slipped into the mid-80 percent range – the lowest since spring. Carriers have countered with blank sailings and trimmed rotations to protect load factors. Yet, with demand remaining soft and uncertainty high, these moves are unlikely to spark a sustained uptick. Despite the current lull, year-end holiday shipments still loom large. Analysts forecasts point to a potential rebound in late September, timed with China’s Golden Week factory pause. Limited sailings could drive brief spikes before winter volume patterns take hold
Until booking trends shift or policy clarity emerges, disciplined capacity management will likely persist into Q4. Importers are advised to stay nimble, monitor available sailings, explore alternative lanes and prepare to capitalize on any short-lived seasonal uptick.
HOW ARE NEW TARIFFS SHAPING BUYING DECISIONS?
Bookings have eased since mid-July, reflecting importers’ caution amid evolving trade-policy dynamics. Rather than rush forward, many are waiting for tariff clarity before locking in space. With the August 7, 2025, U.S. reciprocal tariffs soon to take effect, smaller shippers and those handling low-value goods are feeling the pinch. Analyst projections suggest some importers will pause or scale back orders until duties stabilize or they secure more favorable sourcing options.
ARE NEW IEEPA TARIFFS ON THE HORIZON?
On August 6, 2025, the White House signed an Executive Order under IEEPA and the National Emergencies Act to address the ongoing national emergency related to the Russian Federation’s actions in Ukraine. The order imposes an additional 25% ad valorem duty on articles of Indian origin that are directly or indirectly imported from the Russian Federation, including crude oil, petroleum, and petroleum fuels, oils, and products of their distillation.
This duty supplements existing Section 232 and reciprocal‐tariff measures and applies to entries on or after 12:01 a.m. EDT August 27, 2025.
WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF EVOLVING U.S. TRADE POLICIES?
View Green Worldwide Shipping’s most recent Webinar Recording, “Looking Beyond the August 1 U.S. Tariff Deadline” for additional information on the country-specific trade action and agreements recently announced by the White House – including the U.S.-EU dal, U.S.-Indonesia deal, and current negotiations with India, South Korea, and Canada.
PRESENTATION SLIDES (DOWNLOAD): https://www.greenworldwide.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Looking-Beyond-the-August-1-Tariff-Deadline-Webinar-powered-by-Green-Worldwide-Shipping.pdf
PRESENTATION RECORDING (WATCH): https://youtu.be/njwWQ3h-eYk?si=NYW8Pf9uRL6JoM2q
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