Global steel trade volumes saw a 1% year-on-year decrease in July 2026, totaling 22.2 million tonnes. This downturn signals potential difficulties for the steel supply chain as it approaches the end of 2026. A significant development within this period was the increased dominance of China in global steel exports. The country's share of worldwide steel flows expanded from 41.6% in July 2025 to 45.7% in July 2026, largely due to a 9.1% surge in its own export volumes.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, these trends suggest several implications. A general decline in global steel flows could lead to reduced demand for dry bulk and container shipping, potentially impacting freight rates and vessel utilization on key routes. The growing concentration of exports from China might also lead to increased competition for vessel space and equipment on Asia-Europe and Transpacific lanes, particularly for steel products. Forwarders should monitor these shifts to anticipate capacity changes and adjust their procurement strategies for steel-related shipments, potentially exploring alternative sourcing or routing options if traditional lanes become constrained or less cost-effective.