Key insights
- Goldman Sachs' US Tariff Impact Tracker shows increased shipping volumes from China to the US, suggesting restocking amid lower tariffs. Port of Los Angeles data indicates a potential slowdown next week followed by a surge. Monitoring May's levels will provide further insight into shipper behavior given geopolitical uncertainty. West Coast rail and trucking data also show mixed signals.
Investing.com -- Laden vessels from China to the United States increased 4% week-over-week and rose 25% year-over-year for the week ending Thursday, April 30, according to Goldman Sachs' US Tariff Impact Tracker.
Data indicates that TEUs coming into the Port of Los Angeles will slow 5% week-over-week next week after a 1% sequential increase this past week. Two weeks out, the port is expected to see an 18% week-over-week increase, with year-over-year growth projected at 22% and 65% for one week and two weeks out, respectively.
Goldman Sachs stated that monitoring levels through May could provide insight into how shippers are deciding to restock amid lower effective tariff rates and an uncertain geopolitical backdrop.
Rail intermodal volumes along the West Coast were up 2% year-over-year, following last week's 1.5% performance. Ocean container rates increased 1% sequentially and were up 16% year-over-year this past week.
Load availability for trucks on the West Coast decreased 4% sequentially but was positive on a year-over-year basis at 20%. Truck spot rates on the West Coast, excluding fuel, were up 19% year-over-year.