Asia-US container rates continue to climb, liquid tanker rates soften in International Shipping News 02/06/2026 Rates for shipping containers from east Asia and China to the US surged this week, rising by double-digit percentages, according to some analysts, while rates for liquid chemical tankers ex-the US Gulf softened as negotiations to extend the ceasefire in the Middle East conflict continue. CONTAINER RATES Rates from supply chain advisors Drewry rose by 3% from Shanghai to Los Angeles and by 6% from Shanghai to New York, as shown in the following chart. Even with the recent increases, Drewry said rates to the West Coast are down by 7% year on year while rates to the East Coast are down by 11% compared with the same time a year ago. “Eight blank sailings have been announced on the transpacific trade route for the next week, indicating tighter capacity,” Drewry said. With early peak-season trends emerging and seasonal demand strengthening through June, Drewry expects further upwards pressure on rates in the coming weeks. Rates from online shipping marketplace and platform provider Freightos jumped by 13% to the West Coast and by 14% to the East Coast. Judah Levine, head of research at Freightos, said while upward pressure on rates was initially attributed to increased fuel prices following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, support is now coming from the onset of peak season demand. Carriers have introduced general rate increases (GRIs), which could stick because of the rising demand. Rates from ocean and freight rates analytics firm Xeneta have risen by double-digit percentages over the past two weeks. Peter Sand, chief analyst at Xeneta, said the crisis has gone on too long, the freight rate spikes are too severe, and the geopolitical situation remains too volatile for shippers to recover the financial damage in the second half of the year. “The question is what shippers do now to limit the full-year impact on budgets which have once again been blown apart