Indian freight forwarders have reported a sharp upswing in ocean rates for loads to the US West Coast (USWC) — as high as 60% over the past two weeks — amid capacity pressures linked to the now-heated eastbound trans-Pacific trade.

Indian capacity to the West Coast is in large part confined to extended Asian networks connecting over regional hubs, so space availability remains exposed to demand volatility at origin load ports. Bookings from China to the US have jumped sharply over the past two weeks given the 90-day tariff cooldown period between Washington and Beijing.

“With China volumes now peaking, we are noticing a cutback in allocations for India loading,” an executive at an Asian carrier who didn’t want to be identified told the Journal of Commerce. “We expect this crunch to tighten further in the coming weeks.”

Average spot rates on the India-USWC trade lane have climbed 50% to 60% over the last two weeks, according to data obtained by the Journal of Commerce from forwarders. Booking rates from Nhava Sheva to Los Angeles on sailings through early June now stand at $3,000 per TEU and $3,500 per FEU, although varying from carrier to carrier.

Sources put port-to-port rate quotes by carrier at: CMA CGM — $3,186 per TEU and $3,646 per FEU; Maersk — $4,141 and $4,000; and Hapag-Lloyd — $2,734 and $2,784.

Forwarders who spoke with the Journal of Commerce noted somewhat similar rate indications for other active carriers.

And significant increase plans are in the offing, including $3,600 per TEU and $4,000 per FEU announced by CMA CGM from June 15; $1,800 and $2,000 in two rounds by Mediterranean Shipping Co. from June 1 and June 15; and $3,200 and $4,000 in two attempts by Wan Hai Lines beginning July 1 and July 15.

“We could very well see rates for India-USWC bookings go up to $7,000 per container over the next month,” a forwarder said.

Asian carriers are more aggressive than their European peers for India-USWC coverage. Notably, Ocean Network Express’ Pacific South 3 (PS3) service is the only direct routing for Indian shippers, linking Nhava Sheva and Pipavav to Los Angeles and Oakland.