Global supply chains run on east–west trade. The flow of goods and raw materials from Asia and Europe into North America is the backbone of international supply chains, feeding manufacturers, retailers, and distributors with everything from automotive parts and electronics to industrial machinery and chemicals. Together, the Trans-Pacific and Trans-Atlantic trade lanes move tens of millions of containers annually and dictate global shipping costs, capacity, and logistics strategy.
In 2025, these lanes remain critical—but they are also volatile and increasingly complex. Rate swings, port congestion, changing trade policies, and sustainability goals are reshaping how freight moves from Europe and Asia into North America. Importers must stay informed and agile to avoid disruptions and capitalize on new opportunities.
This article breaks down the current state of the East–West freight market, covering both Asia–North America and Europe–North America trade, and strategies importers can use to succeed going forward.
Why East–West Trade Matters
- Asia → North America: The Trans-Pacific corridor remains the world’s busiest containerized trade lane, moving more than 20 million TEUs annually. China, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, and India continue to drive the majority of U.S. imports, though a dip in imports is likely following increased tariffs.
- Europe → North America: The Trans-Atlantic corridor is smaller in volume but still strategically vital, handling around 4.5 million TEUs annually. Germany, the U.K., the Netherlands, and Italy are key trade partners supplying high-value machinery, automotive components, and chemicals.
Together, these flows represent more than two-thirds of all U.S. imports. While nearshoring to Mexico and Canada is growing, east–west lanes will remain the primary trade lanes of global supply chains for years to come.
The 2025 Market Landscape
1. Rate Volatility on Both Oceans
Trans-Pacific (Asia → North America):
Spot rates remain unstable, swinging between $1,300–$3,000 per FEU to West Coast ports and often exceeding $4,000 to East Coast ports. The rates are significantly impacted in part by the continued restrictions through the Panama Canal. Carriers also use blank sailings and slow steaming to manage capacity, which is driving price unpredictability.
Trans-Atlantic (Europe → North America):
While historically more stable, the Trans-Atlantic saw significant rate hikes during the pandemic. By 2024, rates normalized closer to $1,800–$2,500 per FEU, but this year, the market has seen volatility creeping back in. Some of the contributing factors include rising energy costs in Europe that are affecting carrier operating expenses, capacity shifts in the market as carriers redeploy vessels to higher-yield Asia lanes, and U.S. demand for automotive and chemicals that is pushing up premium service rates.
The bottom line is that both oceans are subject to significant volatility in rates with double-digit swings in freight costs. To mitigate the impact of these factors, companies need to diversify their procurement strategies.
2. West Coast vs. East Coast vs. Gulf Coast Routing
Routing choices for Asian and European imports are more dynamic than ever before.
West Coast (LA/LB, Oakland, Seattle–Tacoma): Benefiting from improved labor stability through 2028, these ports remain efficient gateways for Asian imports, especially time-sensitive cargo.
East Coast (New York/New Jersey, Savannah, Charleston): Gaining share from both Asia and Europe. Larger vessels can now access these ports, but congestion and Panama Canal draft restrictions remain challenges.
Gulf Coast (Houston, Mobile, New Orleans): Emerging as an alternative for both Asia and Europe freight, especially for cargo bound for the U.S. Midwest. Houston’s container volumes have surged above 4 million TEUs, making it one of the fastest-growing U.S. gateways.
For importers, this creates opportunities to spread risk across multiple gateways rather than relying on a single coast.
3. Carrier Consolidation and Alliances
The ocean freight industry remains concentrated, with four global alliances controlling most east–west capacity:
- Ocean Alliance (CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, OOCL)
- The Premier Alliance (Yang Ming, ONE, HMM)
- MSC (formerly in partnership with Maersk as the 2M Alliance) dissolved its partnership and is pursuing independence.
- The Gemini Cooperation (Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd) is a new alliance formed in 2025.
For Europe–North America lanes, Maersk and MSC dominate, while Trans-Pacific services are more diversified. (Click here to learn more about the alliance shakeups that took place earlier in the year.)
Going forward, importers face:
- More service options, but fragmented scheduling.
- Carriers expanding into end-to-end logistics, including forwarding, warehousing, and inland trucking.
- Pressure on traditional forwarders to add value beyond ocean booking.
4. Technology and Visibility Across Oceans
Digitalization is accelerating on both the Trans-Pacific and Trans-Atlantic:
- Real-time tracking is now expected, whether moving goods from Shanghai or Rotterdam.
- AI-driven rate prediction tools are helping shippers plan budgets and negotiate contracts.
- Digital platforms are growing and being adopted across the supply chain, including digital booking and freight visibility tools.
Visibility is no longer a “nice to have.” It is central to mitigating disruptions and optimizing multimodal connections within North America.
5. Sustainability as a Procurement Priority
Environmental pressures are shaping how freight crosses the Atlantic and Pacific:
- The IMO’s carbon intensity rules are prompting carriers to slow steam and retrofit vessels.
- Many European shippers are ahead of their Asian counterparts in requiring carbon accounting from carriers.
- Alternative fuels (LNG, methanol, ammonia) are entering fleets, though at premium costs.
Each year, major importers increasingly demand emissions data on shipments from both Europe and Asia, making sustainability a key differentiator in freight procurement.
Strategies for Success Across East–West Trade Lanes
1. Diversify Gateways
Leverage a mix of West Coast, East Coast, and Gulf Coast ports for both Asia and Europe imports. For example, route high-value electronics through Los Angeles while moving machinery or chemicals from Europe into Houston or New York.
2. Blend Spot and Contract Rates
Secure baseline volumes on annual contracts while leaving flexibility to use the spot market during soft periods. This approach reduces exposure to volatility on both oceans.
3. Use Multimodal Solutions
Consider sea-air freight for urgent shipments (e.g., Asia → Middle East → U.S.) or combine ocean with rail and intermodal for inland distribution within North America.
4. Invest in Visibility Tools
Adopt platforms that integrate tracking, customs clearance, and inland logistics to streamline decision-making once cargo arrives in the market region.
5. Make Sustainability Core
Choose forwarders and carriers offering emissions reporting and alternative-fuel options. Importers with strong ESG reporting will have an edge in procurement and customer relationships.
Looking Ahead: The Future of East–West Freight
Even as nearshoring to Mexico and domestic U.S. production grows, east–west shipping will remain a cornerstone of trade:
- Asia → U.S. for consumer goods, technology, and apparel.
- Europe → U.S. for industrial machinery, chemicals, and automotive.
What will change is the way these flows are managed. Expect:
- Greater balance between coasts as Gulf and East Coast ports gain share.
- Stronger integration of rail and inland logistics to connect ports to the U.S. heartland.
- Widespread digitalization and emissions reporting as procurement requirements.
The east–west freight market in 2025 is both a challenge and an opportunity. From Shanghai to Hamburg to Houston, these trade lanes remain the lifeblood of supply chains. But success is no longer about finding the cheapest ocean rate—it’s about building a resilient, flexible, and transparent supply chain that can withstand volatility.
Importers who diversify gateways, embrace technology, and prioritize sustainability will not just navigate the East–West trade lanes—they’ll lead them.TOC Logistics is the full-service global freight forwarding division of the ProTrans group of companies. Our team focuses on inbound to manufacturing with a heavy concentration on the East-West trade lanes. Contact our team today to learn more about our freight forwarding capabilities and established consolidation programs.