According to foreign media reports, the slowdown in shipments during China's Golden Week holiday may not be enough to bring down transpacific ocean rates. Freightos noted that while the holiday could keep rates stable, weather-related disruptions are still keeping freight costs elevated.
What Happened
The report says that during Golden Week, factories in China shut down and export shipments slow, which typically reduces short-term space demand and puts some downward pressure on rates.
But Freightos' assessment is that this seasonal factor may only keep rates stable rather than push them clearly lower. The reason is that weather-related transport disruptions continue, keeping freight costs at a relatively high level.
The report did not disclose specific rate figures or percentage changes, nor did it identify the specific lanes and ports affected.
Background
Golden Week is a regular node in China's annual export rhythm. Shipments often surge before the holiday and slow afterwards, and the market typically expects rates to ease slightly in response.
But rates are not driven by cargo volume alone. When severe weather affects vessel berthing, port operations or inland transport, schedule delays and reduced vessel turnaround can offset the downward pressure from lower volumes, keeping rates firm.
Impact on Shippers
On transit time, weather disruptions can cause schedule delays and uncertainty over arrival dates, compressing the window for last-mile pickup and delivery. Sellers need to build in more buffer in their replenishment schedules.
On cost, if rates fail to fall as expected after the holiday, ocean freight costs will stay high. Combined with possible demurrage, detention or re-routing fees, overall logistics costs are unlikely to ease in the short term. On customs clearance, the report did not mention any policy or inspection changes, so shippers should still check documents as usual and avoid mismatches between documents and arrival dates caused by schedule changes.
Recommendations
Shippers are advised to closely track schedule and rate changes, and to ship time-sensitive cargo earlier or hold slightly higher safety stock. They should also confirm the latest schedules and free-time policies with their freight forwarders, and check that bills of lading, customs documents and arrival dates are consistent to reduce extra costs from delays.