As major U.S. retailers finalize their service contracts for the 2025–26 eastbound trans-Pacific trade, they are facing rates that are approximately 15% to 20% higher than those of the current service year. However, some shippers are hesitating to sign these agreements, believing that the market will continue to soften in the latter half of the year. This skepticism seems justified, as average spot rates from Asia to the U.S. recently dropped to a 15-month low. Specifically, rates to the West Coast have fallen to $1,600 per FEU, representing a nearly 70% decline since the first week of January and nearly 50% lower compared to the same time last year.