Freight Rates

The Ningbo Containerized Freight Index (NCFI) was published for the week concluding July 17, 2026.

Wheat futures hit two-year highs as military attacks in the Black Sea region threaten grain shipments

China's central bank held key lending rates steady for the 14th consecutive month due to Middle East conflict fallout.

The small-tonnage shipping market has seen significant structural changes due to evolving air and sea freight dynamics

Air cargo volumes from Asia Pacific to Europe fell 15% year-on-year, with declines from China and Hong Kong.

Blank sailings are now a permanent feature of global shipping, according to a new analysis by Sea-Intelligence

The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) decreased by 81 points to 2671 on July 20, 2026, reflecting shifts in bulk shipping costs

Europe's rising temperatures are driving a surge in air conditioning demand, creating a new container shipping trade lane from Asia.

LNG shipping rates remained largely stable this week, with a minor increase on the Australia-Japan route.

Spain's natural gas prices have surged, creating a premium over Dutch benchmarks due to a heatwave and tight global LNG supply

Drewry’s Intra-Asia Container Index (IACI) fell 1% to $978 per 40ft container, marking the fourth weekly decline.

Soybean futures hit a nine-week high due to increased Chinese demand for US supplies and rising crude oil prices.

Canadian Western Red Spring wheat prices hit a two-year high, fueled by Minneapolis Spring wheat futures amid Black Sea tensions

Copper prices stabilized at $6.25 per pound as supply concerns in Chile offset demand uncertainties.

Container shipping rates from East Asia and China to the US are mostly lower as tariff-driven import frontloading slows.

The clean tanker market is expected to see freight rate increases due to an emerging supply shock, despite geopolitical focus elsewhere

The Capesize dry bulk market lost momentum this week, reversing an encouraging start with sentiment deteriorating across basins

The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) saw a 2% drop last week, with its composite index now at $2,958 per 40ft container

Global supply chains face structural volatility from geopolitics, shifting trade, and climate, impacting Latin America's costs and…

Black Sea wheat prices climbed to a three-week high due to intensified Russia-Ukraine attacks on shipping infrastructure

A reduced EU corn production forecast for 2025-26 is set to drive higher imports in 2026-27, with Ukraine gaining market share

Container spot rates on key trade lanes have stabilized, with some routes experiencing declines after a period of increases

Port of Oakland saw increased cargo volumes in June due to a rise in both import and export activities.

Antwerp-Bruges port saw a 2.4% cargo throughput drop in H1 2026 due to geopolitical tensions and weak demand

Dirty tanker spot freight rates showed considerable volatility in June, according to OPEC's recent monthly report.

A global diesel supply deficit is developing, potentially increasing tanker demand and freight rates for refined products

The container ship time charter market saw a quiet week with minimal transactions as the summer holiday season began

US import prices unexpectedly increased by 0.3% in June 2026, contrary to market predictions of a decline.

Shippers are increasingly prioritizing network flexibility to manage service and cost effectively in volatile freight markets

J.B. Hunt set a new intermodal volume record in Q2, as shippers increasingly favor intermodal due to truckload capacity constraints and…