News / Capacity increases may put transpacific container rates under more pressure

© Atomazul

As shippers and carriers on the transpacific prepare for the annual contract negotiating season – which kicks off with the Journal of Commerce’s Transpacific Maritime (TPM) convention next week on Long Beach – industry analysts have predicted planned capacity increases on the trade could bring long-term rates under further pressure.

Alphaliner has calculated that capacity between Asia and the US west coast is likely to increase by 8% by July, with new services already announced by APL and South Korea’s SM ...