News / Gloomy outlook for transpacific rates as Maersk becomes latest to quit TSA

© Ian Whitworth

Unless transpacific container carriers introduce some capacity discipline to the trade, such as that once imposed by the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA), rate levels are likely to fall to unprecedented lows, according to new analysis from Alphaliner,

Since the beginning of the year, freight rates from Asia to both the US west and east coasts have more than halved.

“Transpacific routes are currently under the most severe pressure, with spot rates from China to the US west coast falling to only $1,078 per feu, ...