Fuel, congestion push trans-Pacific ocean rates near $9,500

With trans-Pacific rates near $9,500, the cost gap between ocean and air narrows. For export and reverse-cross-border shippers, Sea & Air or straight air freight becomes worth pricing again, and prolonged port congestion adds transit-time risk that further favors air. Run the numbers now by SKU on a value-to-volume basis and keep a three-way rate comparison: ocean, Sea & Air, and air. For peak-season volume, hold both vessel and air space, and decide in advance how much of the freight increase goes into selling prices.