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FRANKFURT, Aug 19 Reuters Transatlantic container shipping volumes into the United States are rebounding, the head of HapagLloyd said on Monday, boosted by restocking and a rush to fill up inventories amid a risk of possible strike action at U.S. ports.

Freight sector analysts are keeping an eye on contract talks between cargo worker unions and port managers in case the end of September deadlines are missed and strike action looms.

There is some temptation by customers to bring in goods ahead of the labour contract expiry on Sept. 30, CEO Rolf Habben Jansen, who heads the world39;s fifthbiggest container liner, said in an online news briefing.

Habben Jansen also said restocking was another driver for demand in the region.

We see U.S. inventory levels getting back to normal, last year, they were down off the back of higher interest rates and they39;re now being built back up, he added.

U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump has pledged to hike import tariffs if reelected but Habben Jansen said HapagLloyd is not yet seeing any frontloading of exports to the United States due to this risk.

That motivation would have an effect, at the earliest, at the beginning of 2025, and people would not pull forward orders that much, he said.

Habben…