Container shipping markets continue to demonstrate resilience while ocean carriers are practicing capacity discipline against steady cargo demand across major East-West trades. According to Drewry’s World Container Index released on August 20, 2026, global container rates increased for a second consecutive week, supported primarily by gains on the Trans-Pacific trades.
Drewry’s assessment noted seven scheduled blank sailings for the coming week, while August capacity declined month-over-month by -9% on Asia-U.S. East Coast services, and by -0.4% Asia-U.S. West Coast services.
Major U.S. gateway volumes point to continued demand strength, consistent with Drewry’s market outlook. As reported by the Port of Los Angeles in its August 2026 cargo news briefing, the port handled 960,464 TEUs, making it the second-busiest July in its history. Although throughput was below the previous years’ record levels, volumes remained 7.5% above the port’s five-year average. The port also surpassed 6 million TEUs during the first seven months of 2026, representing year-over-year growth. The Port of Long Beach similarly reported its second-busiest July on record.
Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said resilient consumer demand has helped sustain import volumes. The port also reported handling more than 6 million TEUs during the first seven months of 2026, representing a year-over-year increase. “We expect another strong month in August, although some cargo that traditionally arrives later in the season has already moved. Consumer demand remains the most important variable as we look toward the balance of the year,” Seroka said.
On the Asia-Europe trade, market conditions were less pronounced. Drewry reported modest declines in spot rates from Shanghai to Northern Europe and the Mediterranean and carriers continue to manage supply with two blank sailings scheduled for the coming week.
Drewry’s report noted that congestion at Shanghai and Rotterdam has eased although it was still affecting network efficiency. In addition, labor disruptions at German ports and ongoing uncertainty surrounding Red Sea and Suez Canal routings continue to influence schedule reliability.
Some carriers are cautiously reassessing their return to the Suez Canal. An announcement by MSC said the carrier has begun partially restoring Suez Canal transits on selected East-West services in both directions. Seatrade Maritime News reporting, citing Linerlytica’s analysis, noted that recent moves by MSC, CMA CGM, and Maersk could induce more carriers to reconsider the Cape of Good Hope routings.
In recent developments, Chinese shipping company Sea Legend Line launched of a regularly scheduled container service through the Northern Sea Route, providing another routing option between Europe and Asia.
Source: Drewry, Port of Los Angeles, MSC, Seatrade Maritime News