by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor

According to a Sea-Intelligence report, container carriers have significantly reduced their planned capacity deployment on the Transpacific due to uncertain tariff outlooks.

Sea-Intelligence reported a 23% reduction in planned capacity on the Asia-North America west coast trade last month. The consultancy noted that shippers have shifted away from front-loading Chinese cargo.

The total planned capacity for June-July on this trade lane decreased from a peak of 770,000 TEU on 30 May to 590,000 TEU by 4 July.

A similar decline was observed on the Asia-North America east coast route, starting after 6 June and falling by up to 24%.

Analysts believe that the market's volatility is tightly related to how future US tariffs will play out. The introduction of US penalties on Chinese ships will also impact capacity adjustments.

Sea-Intelligence reports that, despite July typically being the peak season, there is little evidence of this. The consultancy claims that US importers are waiting for some certainty amid the uncertain tariff landscape.

Similarly, Maersk's latest market update stated that the world is "on tariff watch" in July and August as various deadlines for potential US trade deals approach.

The outcome of these negotiations will influence global trade and consumer sentiment in the coming months.