Ocean carriers are moving capacity away from Asia’s largest transshipment hubs and redirecting services toward secondary regional gateways. What began as a response to disruption is now shaping into a permanent adjustment of liner networks. According to Sea-Intelligence’s analysis of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) 2026-Q2 Port Liner Shipping Connectivity Index
Global ocean shipping spot rates have reached a four-year high, matching levels not seen since the peak of the pandemic in 2022, as reported by Splash247. The latest ocean freight analysis by Freightos indicated that the peak-season rush, and cargo frontloading were the main catalysts driving the current rate spikes. Drewry’s World Container Index, released
China has launched its first zero-carbon sea–river intermodal shipping route in Zhejiang Province with the fully electric containership, the Ningyuan Dianpeng, reported splash247. The route connects Jiaxing Port and Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, which is busiest port in the world in terms of cargo tonnage. The service went into operation on June 30 and linking inland and coastal
Efforts to restore vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz have been called into question following an incident involving a container vessel shortly after its passage through the waterway. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, advisory notice 074-26 confirmed that the Singapore-flagged containership Ever Lovely, operated by Evergreen, sustained damage to its bridge
Global port congestion is tying up about 10% of the world’s fleet at anchorages. These conditions are expected to support carrier plans for rate increases in July, according to reporting from The Loadstar. Shanghai is experiencing delays of up to five days, while Taiwan is facing both congestion and overbooking, The Loadstar reported. According to
Capacity expansion across key Asia trade lanes continues to accelerate, with both the Far East–Mediterranean and Far East–Subcontinent corridors seeing the deployment of larger vessels and new service enhancements in response to strengthening demand and rates. In the Far East–Mediterranean trade, stronger volumes and firmer freight rates are prompting carriers to shift toward higher-capacity tonnage.
The U.S. and Iran have reached an interim agreement that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, alongside a 60-day window for broader negotiations. However, uncertainty around the terms and their implementation continues to cloud the timeline for restoring shipping operations. According to Xeneta’s market update, Chief Analyst Peter Sand noted that network stability may not
A gradual return to stability across global supply chains appears to be underway, but financial recovery for freight forwarders is expected to lag behind operational improvements. As reported by Air Cargo News, citing OntegosCloud CEO Oliver Gritz, progress in the U.S.–Iran negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could restore a key trade corridor. However,
Intra-European container shipping is witnessing a significant shift toward larger vessels. According to ShippingWatch’s report, citing data from Alphaliner, the number of containerships above 8,000 TEU deployed in Mediterranean trades has increased from nine vessels to 16 over the past year, marking a 78% rise. MSC is leading the trend of larger vessels, operating nine
The 2025 Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) reported a slight decline in global port efficiency compared to 2024, with longer vessel turnaround times. The report, jointly produced by the World Bank Group and S&P Global Market Intelligence, attributed this to a combination of geopolitical tensions, shipping disruptions, extreme weather, and market volatility, according to reporting
