Cover Story

Deepening slowdown puts trans-Pacific trade on ice

By JOC Staff

The end of the year in ocean shipping in the US is generally lackluster given that most retailers have already brought their goods into the country and still have a month or two early in the new year to restock. But this end to 2025 and start of 2026 is looking more than just lackluster; it’ s a deepening slowdown with no end in sight.

The weaker inbound volumes are being felt by transport providers from drayage operators to ocean carriers trying to keep a floor on container spot rates. For at least a year, US importers have been frontloading imports out of fear of higher tariffs, and as American consumers become more cautious, they’ re replenishing judiciously. www. joc. com December 1, 2025 | Journal of Commerce 11