Rising bunker fuel prices, ongoing geopolitical tensions, and increased shipping demand ahead of China’s Golden Week holiday are putting additional pressure on ocean freight rates and inland transportation costs. As businesses prepare for the upcoming holiday shopping season, higher fuel surcharges and increasing demand for vessel space are driving shipping costs, especially on the Asia–U.S. trade lanes.
With Golden Week approaching in early October, many importers are trying to move their cargo out of China before factories close for the holiday. This increase in shipping demand is making it harder to secure vessel space and putting further pressure on freight rates.
The impact extends beyond ocean freight. Higher fuel prices are affecting both ocean freight and inland transportation costs. As diesel prices rise, trucking companies are facing higher operating expenses, particularly for container drayage and long-distance transportation.
How Rising Fuel Prices Impact Shipping Costs
Fuel is one of the major operating expenses for ocean carriers. As fuel prices rise, carriers may adjust their Bunker Adjustment Factors or apply additional fuel-related surcharges to cover higher operating costs.
Ongoing geopolitical tensions are also affecting shipping routes. Due to security concerns in the Red Sea, some ocean carriers continue to use alternative routes, resulting in longer transit times and higher fuel consumption. These changes add to carriers’ operating costs and may put further upward pressure on ocean freight rates.
For importers, this means that even if the base ocean freight rate remains unchanged, the total shipping cost may increase due to additional fuel surcharges, depending on the carrier and service contract.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that the national average diesel price reached $6.529 per gallon on September 21, 2026, up from $5.599 on August 31. This represents an increase of approximately 16.6% in just three weeks.
As trucking providers adjust their Fuel Surcharges (FSC) to reflect higher fuel costs, importers may face increased transportation costs for container deliveries from ports to inland destinations. For businesses handling large shipment volumes, even a small increase in trucking costs per container can have a significant impact on monthly transportation budgets.
Golden Week Adds Pressure on Vessel Capacity
China’s Golden Week holiday in early October is another factor affecting the current freight market. As factories prepare to close for the holiday, importers and retailers are trying to ship their cargo in advance to avoid potential delays. This period also coincides with the traditional peak shipping season, when U.S. retailers are building inventory for the upcoming holiday shopping period.
With more cargo moving ahead of the holiday, securing vessel space may become more difficult, leading to booking delays and potential shipment rollovers. Higher cargo volumes arriving at destination ports may also affect truck availability, resulting in longer delivery times for importers.
Although the shipping rush is expected to slow down after Golden Week, freight rates may not immediately return to previous levels. If bunker fuel prices remain high, transportation costs could stay elevated even after the holiday period.
For importers, securing bookings early and maintaining flexible shipping schedules can help minimize potential delays and manage transportation costs during this period.
What’s Next for Shipping Costs?
Freight rates may continue to rise in the coming weeks if bunker fuel prices remain high and demand for vessel space increases during peak season. While cargo demand may ease after Golden Week, fuel-related surcharges could continue to impact overall transportation costs.
For businesses, planning shipments in advance, monitoring fuel surcharge adjustments, and considering total door-to-door transportation costs can help manage shipping expenses and avoid unexpected charges.
