How much the Panama Canal Authority raises rates will be key in determining how many less time sensitive boxes get diverted. Evergreen, Maersk, K-Line and others are bracing for a higher than expected initial increase. That will probably blunt the number of vessel rotation changes, at least for awhile until all the pricing and logistics are sorted out. Most of these companies have increased use of the Suez Canal...Maersk is a heavy user of the Suez for shipments from western Asia to the eastern United States.

Ports on the west coast in the biggest danger from shifting traffc patterns are Oakland and Seattle. In fact there really is almost too much port competition in the PNW with Vancouver BC and Prince Rupert vs. Seattle and Tacoma.