Transpacific ocean freight rates surge at the beginning of 2026.

Transpacific container rates have seen a notable increase recently, driven by rising demand ahead of the Lunar New Year and general price hikes from carriers. Rates from Asia to the U.S. West Coast surged by 22% week over week to $2,617 per forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU), while those to the East Coast rose 12% to $3,757 per FEU. Despite this growth, year-over-year volumes are expected to remain subdued, with projections indicating a 10% decline in 2026 compared to the previous year, primarily due to high inventories and ongoing market adjustments.