Freight Market Update – September 2026
Transpacific rates remain elevated as blank sailings, typhoon disruptions, and Panama Canal restrictions tighten capacity. See what shippers should watch this September.
This Month:
- Transpacific spot rates remain elevated and volatile, with carriers continuing to manage capacity through blank sailings.
- Shanghai–Los Angeles rates climbed to USD 7,185 per FEU, while approximately 20% of capacity has been pulled through blank sailings.
- Typhoon activity across Asia has caused significant port congestion, vessel bunching, and schedule disruptions.
- U.S. East Coast rates remain firmer than West Coast rates as Panama Canal restrictions continue to limit effective capacity.
- Shippers should prepare for increased late-September demand ahead of China’s National Day holiday and secure space early.
Download the September 2026 Freight Market Update [PDF]
Market Overview
Transpacific ocean freight conditions remain volatile heading into September. Spot rates continue to hold at elevated levels as carriers manage available capacity and operational disruptions create additional pressure across major trade lanes.
Drewry’s World Container Index shows Shanghai–Los Angeles rates climbing to USD 7,185 per FEU, while carriers have pulled approximately 20% of capacity through blank sailings to support rate levels.
U.S. East Coast rates remain firmer than U.S. West Coast rates due to reduced capacity and ongoing Panama Canal draft and weight restrictions. The September 1 General Rate Increase (GRI) was successfully implemented across both coasts, with another round of GRIs anticipated for September 15.
Weather and Port Disruptions
Weather has become a major factor affecting transpacific freight conditions. Increased tropical storm activity in the western Pacific has brought consecutive typhoons to China and other parts of Asia, contributing to severe port congestion, vessel bunching, and omitted calls at Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong.
Shanghai congestion reached a nearly two-year high in mid-August, with 201 vessels waiting for berths and delays reaching up to 12 days. Conditions improved somewhat by August 19, when the number of waiting vessels declined to 139, but clearing the remaining backlog is expected to take weeks.
Typhoon Dolphin alone resulted in closures lasting 88 hours in Ningbo and 84 hours in Shanghai, demonstrating the scale of recent weather-related disruptions.
Panama Canal Restrictions Continue
Weather conditions are also affecting the Panama Canal. Reduced rainfall in the Caribbean and Central America has prompted the Panama Canal Authority to impose transit and weight restrictions.
These measures are increasing vessel waiting times and forcing carriers to restrict heavy containers on certain services, further limiting available capacity.
The impact is particularly important for U.S. East Coast services, where rates remain firmer and available space continues to face pressure.
How Carriers Are Managing Capacity
Carriers continue to actively manage supply in an effort to sustain current rate levels.
Key strategies include:
- Continuing blank sailings, particularly around scheduled GRIs.
- Prioritizing premium services offering guaranteed loading.
- Restricting heavy containers on Panama Canal routings.
- Shifting allocations toward U.S. East Coast services despite canal constraints.
- Rationing space ahead of China’s National Day holiday, with contract customers and premium bookings receiving priority.
- Maintaining omitted calls and port skipping as carriers work to recover schedules following typhoon disruptions.
These strategies mean general FAK bookings may continue to face higher rollover risks and uneven space availability throughout September.
What This Means for Shippers
Despite overall August demand being lower than July, three typhoons within a five-week period created significant congestion and capacity loss.
Combined with blank sailings and reduced capacity, these disruptions helped push transpacific spot rates higher in late August.
Pressure could intensify again toward the end of September as shippers move cargo ahead of China’s National Day holiday from October 1–7. Shipments delayed by recent storms will also be competing for available space, adding further pressure to an already constrained market.
Looking Ahead
Shippers should expect omitted calls, port skipping, irregular routings, and last-minute schedule adjustments to remain possible as carriers recover from recent disruptions.
Securing space early will be especially important for late-September departures. Shippers should also maintain routing flexibility and prepare for the possibility of additional GRIs during the month.
Advance booking will be critical for reducing congestion risks and improving the likelihood of timely cargo movement ahead of the National Day holiday period.
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