[Skyrocketing] India–US West Coast Ocean Freight Up 60%! What’s Behind the Surge and What’s Next

Introduction

This time, we’re highlighting the topic: “Freight rates from India to the U.S. West Coast have surged nearly 60% in the past two weeks.”

For those involved in logistics, especially those handling cargo from India, this is likely a topic of major concern.

Freight from India to the U.S. is Soaring!

Over the past two weeks, shipping costs from India to the U.S. West Coast have increased by 50% to 60%.

Booking rates from Nhava Sheva to Los Angeles have reached $3,000 per TEU and $3,500 per FEU.

Additionally, some carriers are now quoting rates over $4,000, and there are even projections that one container may reach $7,000 within a month.

Why Such a Sharp Increase?

The key reason behind this is the “90-day tariff cooling period between the U.S. and China.”

This temporary easing of tariffs has led to a surge in cargo from China to the U.S.

As a result, space across Asia has become constrained, and allocations for India have been reduced.

Freight Rates by Carrier

Although rates vary by carrier, overall levels remain significantly high.

Only One Direct Service Exists!

From India to the U.S. West Coast, the only direct service is the “PS3” route by Ocean Network Express.

The PS3 route departs directly from Nhava Sheva and Pipavav ports to Los Angeles and Oakland.

All other routes go via Southeast Asia, so PS3 space is extremely valuable and highly competitive.

Summary

・Freight rates from India to the U.S. West Coast are surging
・Behind it is a sharp increase in China-origin cargo and limited space
・Rates vary by carrier but are high across the board
・The only direct route “PS3” is hard to secure space on

As space becomes increasingly limited, early bookings and staying informed on rates are more critical than ever.