The SCFI index has fallen for two consecutive weeks, with the latest figures showing a decline of 22.74 points to 1347.84. According to data from the Shanghai Shipping Exchange, cargo volume from China to North America has decreased by approximately 40%, creating a significant atmosphere of caution in the market.

On freight rates, the cost for transporting a 20-foot container from Far East to Europe has decreased by $56 to $1260, reflecting a drop of 4.25%. Meanwhile, the Mediterranean route also saw a decline of $32 per TEU, now at $2129, down 1.48%. In contrast, near-sea routes experienced slight increases, such as the freight rate rising by $4 to $454 between the Far East and Southeast Asia, up by 0.88%.

Long Beach Shipping (2603) has observed that cargo volumes to the United States have dropped by 60% to 70% due to retaliatory tariffs imposed by the US, drawing attention to the uncertain trajectory of US tariff policies. The cautious attitude of freight owners will significantly influence cargo volumes in the second quarter.

On the stock market, Long Beach's share price started high on the 25th but ultimately fell by 0.24% to close at 204.5; Yang Ming (2609) also began positively but ended down by 1.55% at 69.8; Wan Hai (2615) followed a similar trend, eventually slightly rising by 0.48% to 82.2. In response to the market fluctuations caused by the tariff war, the shipping industry is adopting measures such as reducing services or suspending routes to adapt to changes in demand. These measures affect not only scheduling but also involve repositioning fleets, port allocations, inland rail and trucking logistics, and empty container management, posing challenges to the entire supply chain.