If you've been watching the transpacific trade lately, you already know it's been a wild ride. But the numbers just released by OOCL confirm what many in the industry have been feeling: the Pacific is where the money is right now.
OOCL's second-quarter results are nothing short of impressive. The Hong Kong-based carrier posted liner revenue of $2.54 billion for the three months ending June 30, a 19.8% jump year-over-year. Total liftings climbed 8.8% to 2.14 million TEU, capacity expanded 6.3%, and the load factor improved by 1.9 percentage points. Average revenue per TEU? Up 10.1%.
But here's the real headline: the transpacific was the undisputed star.
The Transpacific Surge
OOCL's transpacific volumes jumped 21.5% year-on-year in Q2, hitting 608,979 TEU. Revenue from that single trade lane soared 29.3% to $973.7 million. That's a massive reversal from Q1, when transpacific volumes had actually declined 5.9%. For the first half overall, transpacific volumes were up 7.1% to 1.13 million TEU, with revenue rising 4.3% to $1.72 billion.
What drove the turnaround? According to OOCL's annual report, the primary drag on transpacific revenues in 2025 was "exceptionally intense market competition" and the impact of "sharp, frequent changes in tariff measures" that caused demand volatility and lower U.S. imports. This year, the tariff situation has been more stable-and shippers have responded.
Asia-Europe and Intra-Asia Also Delivered
The transpacific wasn't the only lane pulling its weight. Asia-Europe liftings grew 9.3% in the first half, with revenue up 5.8% to over $1 billion. Intra-Asia and Australasia remained OOCL's largest trade grouping by volume at 1.94 million TEU, up 3.4%, with revenue climbing 8.7% to $1.6 billion. The only soft spot? The transatlantic, where first-half revenue dipped 2.7% despite volumes edging up 0.3%.
What This Means for Shippers
For cargo owners shipping across the Pacific, these numbers confirm what you're probably already feeling: demand is strong, capacity is tight, and rates are firm. The early start to peak season has sent transpacific spot rates climbing since May, with Shanghai-to-Los Angeles rates jumping 31% to $4,565 per 40-foot container. And with carriers deploying record capacity and still scrambling to satisfy demand, securing reliable space isn't getting any easier.
That's exactly where having the right logistics partner makes all the difference.
How Xiamen AE Global Keeps Your Cargo Moving
At Xiamen AE Global, we've been navigating the ups and downs of the transpacific trade since 2018. We're a government-licensed company with IATA, FIATA, FMC, and NVOCC credentials-which means when the market heats up and capacity gets tight, we have the relationships and the network to secure the space you need.
1. Carrier Relationships That Deliver
In a market where alliance carriers control close to 85% of transpacific capacity, strong carrier partnerships aren't a nice-to-have-they're essential. We leverage relationships with major ocean carriers to secure priority space for our clients. When everyone's scrambling for bookings and rates are climbing, that priority access keeps your cargo moving while others wait.
2. Real-Time Visibility, Real Options
We've invested heavily in technology that gives our clients actual transparency-not just a tracking number that sits there while your container waits in a yard somewhere. When the transpacific market shifts, we see it coming and we alert you immediately. Reroute through an alternate port? Adjust your booking window? Switch to airfreight for time-sensitive cargo? We've got the data and the experience to make those calls fast.
3. Local Knowledge, Global Reach
Based in Xiamen-one of Asia's busiest port cities and a critical hub for transpacific exports-we're positioned right at the heart of the trade. We work with over 100 overseas agents worldwide, giving us boots-on-the-ground intelligence from Los Angeles to Long Beach, New York to Savannah. We've moved over 12,000 TEUs in a single year with a 98.6% on-time delivery rate for our SME clients. That's not luck-that's execution.
The Bottom Line
OOCL's Q2 results are a clear signal: the transpacific trade is roaring back. But strong demand means tight capacity, rising rates, and the constant risk of delays. The carriers are doing their part, but they can't be everywhere at once.
That's where we come in.
At Xiamen AE Global, we don't just book containers-we turn complex cross-border logistics into smooth, predictable supply chains. Whether you're shipping FCL or LCL across the Pacific, we've got the relationships, the technology, and the experience to get your cargo where it needs to go-on time and on budget.
Because when the transpacific is this hot, you don't need a booking confirmation. You need a partner who can actually deliver.
Ready to secure your transpacific shipments? Contact Xiamen AE Global today for reliable, capacity-backed logistics solutions that keep your supply chain moving-no matter how hot the market gets.
