On the transpacific route from Asia to the USA, container spot rates rose significantly again in early August. According to Xeneta, average rates toward the US West Coast increased by around 14 percent within a week. Toward the US East Coast, the increase was around 13 percent.
For a 40-foot container – referred to as an FEU in statistics – rates from the Far East to the US West Coast averaged around $6,824. Toward the US East Coast, the average spot rate was already at $9,988 and thus practically at the $10,000 mark.
The main reason for this is currently not suddenly exploding demand, but a classic logistical problem: bad weather.
Typhoons and strong winds have disrupted operations at various Asian ports. Ships cannot safely dock or be handled in strong winds. This creates delays of five to seven days. The consequence: ships arrive late at the next port, containers remain idle, and available cargo space becomes scarce in the short term.
In addition, there are so-called blank sailings. These are scheduled departures that are canceled by shipping lines. This also causes capacity to disappear from the market in the short term.
What does AI have to do with it?
This initially sounds somewhat strange: why would artificial intelligence make container freight more expensive?
This is not about the use of ChatGPT or other software. It refers to the hardware behind it.
Large data centers for artificial intelligence continue to be built in the USA. This requires servers, semiconductors, and other electronic components. An important part of this production comes from Taiwan, South Korea, and other Asian countries.
Dimerco reports particularly strong demand from Taiwan for transport capacity driven by AI and semiconductor exports. While a large portion of this high-value merchandise is transported by air freight, the strong electronics industry simultaneously generates additional export volumes and logistics movements from Asia.
The AI demand is therefore rather an additional cargo driver. It fills part of the gap created by weaker conventional consumer goods and e-commerce volumes. The current rate spike itself, however, is explained mainly by weather problems, port congestion, and the resulting capacity constraints.
For shipments to the US East Coast, an additional factor comes into play: restrictions and potential additional burdens at the Panama Canal. Many Asia traffic flows to the East Coast use this route. Less available capacity or waiting times can therefore provide additional support to rates.