Freight rates on the U.S. West Coast have continued to drop by 8.61%, primarily due to an oversupply of capacity. This trend has also weighed on the Shanghai Export Containerized Freight Index (SCFI), which fell by 4.08% to 2,160.08 points on the 22nd. Meanwhile, freight rates on the Mediterranean, European, and U.S. East Coast routes have also seen slight declines, with drops of 0.29%, 1.23%, and 1.28%, respectively.

As for the stability or potential rebound of U.S. freight rates, several freight forwarders believe that two key factors will influence short-term market prices and cargo volumes: First, whether the traditional pre-Lunar New Year shipping surge will occur earlier, possibly by the end of the fourth quarter. Second, the progress of labor negotiations at U.S. East Coast ports, and the potential risk of a strike.