North America container market split on peak‑season outlook as capacity tightens, fuel drives pricing in International Shipping News 14/05/2026 North America’s container market is sending conflicting signals heading into mid‑May, with some forwarders reporting early signs of peak‑season strength, including tight space, and strong bookings, while others say demand remains too soft to justify general rate increases. The result is a market divided between early‑peak optimism and fuel‑driven caution, even as carriers continue to manage capacity aggressively across all major coasts. Forwarders say they are still finalizing contracts and “transitioning into getting the business moving,” but few are willing to call a clear upswing. Another freight forwarder described being “back and forth on a May rebound,” noting that the early‑May holiday period in Asia has slowed cargo readiness and could delay any bounce‑back until later in the month. Capacity tightening across all US coasts Carriers have kept supply tight across the PSW, PNW, and USEC, relying on blank sailings and smaller vessels to manage capacity even as demand remains insufficient to support broad rate increases. On the West Coast, there were six blank sailings in the first week of May and seven expected in the second week. Additionally, on the East Coast, there were four to five blank sailings per week, which kept weekly capacity constrained. Ocean Alliance carriers report full vessels and growing roll pools, with some of the tightest conditions on Panama‑route services. “They’re full,” one forwarder said, adding that May 1 increases were applied mainly by Premier Alliance carriers with limited space. Another source said June allocations are already full, with bookings strong enough that “there’s no space in the next two weeks,” even though overall demand remains far from peak‑season levels. New signals: Early peak‑season chatter A separate forwarder said they are now hearing about extra loaders on the trans‑Paci