Container bookings from China to the United States plunged 27 per cent year on year last week to their lowest level since February as the impact of increased US tariffs became evident, according to data from supply chain intelligence firm Vizion.
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Seen as a proxy of export activity, container bookings plunged to 52,073 20-foot equivalent units (TEU) in the week beginning April 28 after the sharpest weekly drop this year, with volume down 42.7 per cent from 90,831 TEU the previous week.
The drop signals “deep disruption and sourcing shifts”, Vizion said.
“Shippers rushed to move product in the first quarter, then pulled back sharply as new tariff policies introduced widespread uncertainty,” it said in a report.
We expect continued booking volatility in the weeks ahead
Vizion said continuing uncertainty over future tariff levels meant that “many supply chain teams are rethinking timing, inventory levels and sourcing strategies”.
