latest publications

Trans-Pacific container rates moved lower this week as U.S. import demand continues to ease, while Asia-Europe pricing remained comparatively stable despite additional capacity returning to the market.  Operationally, a potential labor disruption at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach remains unresolved ahead of a November 4 deadline, [...]

Container rates moved higher again this week as carriers continued adjusting capacity across major East-West trade lanes, while a potential labor disruption at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach emerged as an immediate operational concern ahead of November 1.  Blank sailings are increasing sharply on Asia-Europe services [...]

Ocean freight markets are showing a change in direction as Asia–Europe rates increase after several months of declines. At the same time, carriers have announced more blank sailings, and new reliability data indicates that importers moving cargo from Asia to North America continue to face significant uncertainty around vessel [...]

U.S. container imports reached a September record as the extended peak shipping season begins to wind down. New figures show that cargo activity remained strong through the end of the third quarter, particularly at West Coast gateways, even as forecasts point to lower volumes heading into November and December.  [...]

Global freight conditions remain uneven as China exits the Golden Week holiday period. Trans-Pacific rates appear to be leveling off at elevated levels, while Asia–Europe pricing continues to ease as additional services return to shorter Suez routings. Capacity remains broadly available across the major East-West trades, but congestion at [...]

Global freight conditions remain uneven as China enters the Golden Week holiday period. Ocean carriers continue adjusting capacity across major East-West trades, while congestion at key Asian ports remains an important schedule risk.  Air cargo demand is also strengthening heading into Q4, Middle East energy flows are showing signs [...]

Global freight conditions remain uneven heading into the final week of September. Trans-Pacific container rates moved higher in the latest weekly assessment as carriers continued adjusting capacity ahead of China’s Golden Week, while U.S. import volumes are now forecast to reach their highest level of 2026 in September.  At [...]

Global freight markets enter the second half of September with increasingly different conditions across major trade lanes. Trans-Pacific rates moved higher while Asia–Europe pricing declined, and carriers sharply increased blank sailing activity ahead of China’s Golden Week holiday.  At the same time, congestion remains elevated at several major Chinese [...]

Global freight markets enter the second week of September with increasingly different conditions by trade lane. Trans-Pacific spot rates moved higher while Asia–Europe pricing declined, Intra-Asia rates continued to climb and carriers maintained active capacity management across the major East–West trades.  Panama Canal transit restrictions are now in effect, [...]

Global freight markets enter September with elevated ocean rates, continued capacity adjustments and new operational pressure across several key trade lanes. Severe weather is creating additional disruption at major Chinese gateways, while Trans-Pacific demand remains firm heading toward Golden Week. In Europe, German port labor negotiations remain unresolved following [...]

Trans-Pacific rates continue moving higher as carriers manage available capacity through blank sailings, while the Panama Canal prepares for reduced transit availability beginning in September. German port labor negotiations also remain ongoing following last week's warning strikes, and continued Black Sea disruption is creating uncertainty for agricultural cargo.  On [...]