The global freight landscape is shifting as policy changes, regional bottlenecks, and trade realignments reshape logistics strategies, according to the June 2025 Asia-Pacific Freight Market Report by Dimerco Express Group. The report highlights ongoing impacts of US–China tariffs, rising air and ocean freight rates, and tightening capacity at key export hubs, signalling a potentially volatile summer shipping season.

The report notes that US tariffs on Chinese goods, combined with China’s temporary suspension of tariffs on US semiconductors, have triggered a sharp increase in shipments. Businesses are rushing to move goods before the 90-day reprieve ends in August, leading to shipping surges from Vietnam, Taiwan, and South China. This urgency is placing additional strain on already limited air and ocean freight capacity.

Ocean freight rates are climbing sharply as carriers cancel sailings to manage capacity. In May, 8 per cent of East-West sailings were cancelled, and peak season surcharges are being applied in June. As a result, US-bound spot rates could reach as high as $8,000 per FEU in June.