Freight Rates

The Drewry Intra-Asia Container Index (IACI) saw a 1% reduction, yet remains twice its pre-conflict valuation.

Iron ore futures showed a slight increase, while port spot prices rose, though steel mills became more cautious in purchasing.

Iron ore futures climbed as a potential strike by BHP workers at Australia's Port Hedland threatened supply.

The Capesize dry bulk market experienced a challenging week, marked by a substantial drop in earnings due to limited cargo.

Ocean container spot rates are trending higher, with shippers facing substantial freight cost increases and export delays from Asia

Container freight rates saw slower growth in Week 24, with Trans-Pacific lanes to the US West Coast largely plateauing.

Shimizu Port's foreign-trade container volumes decreased by 6% in May compared to the previous year, totaling 33,808 TEUs.

The Port of Long Beach experienced its third-busiest May on record, processing 842,030 TEUs, largely due to a 40% import surge

Dirty tanker spot freight rates remained elevated in May, supported by long-haul demand, despite a slight dip from March highs

Nigeria's Dangote Refinery is reducing West African clean product imports, reshaping regional tanker routes and trade flows

The Drewry World Container Index saw a 3% increase last week, influenced by early peak season demand pushing spot rates higher

Emergency fuel surcharge negotiations are a major point of contention in the freight industry, highlighting cost allocation challenges.

The U.S. housing market is contracting due to high mortgage rates, reduced hiring, and weaker demand, impacting residential investment.

The New ConTex Index rose by 3 points to 1,542, signaling positive sentiment in the container charter market.

US consumer sentiment showed a slight improvement but remains at historically weak levels, indicating potential spending declines

LTL carriers are observing higher average shipment weights, signaling improved demand as the quarter advances.

ArcBest and ABF Freight will raise LTL rates by an average of 5.9% starting June 22, 2026, due to increasing carrier costs.

Union Pacific has implemented an early peak season surcharge for low-volume shippers, indicating expected freight shifts to rail.

Mundra Port faces rail congestion, causing inland delays and higher costs for shippers due to diverted transshipment cargo.

Agora Shipbroking Corporation released its commercial indicators report for Week 24 of 2026, detailing key shipping market metrics

The secondhand dry bulk market is notably tight, with Panamax rates steadily improving, signaling robust demand.

ANL announced a General Rate Increase for dry and reefer cargo to Fiji from Asia and the Middle East, effective July 1, 2026

MPV freight rates show regional divergence, with strong demand from Asia but softer rates from Europe and the US.

Shippers are expediting ocean cargo ahead of new tariffs and rising fuel costs, creating an early peak season

The global freight forwarding market reached €208.1 billion in 2025, marking a shift to structurally constrained yet steady growth.

All U.S. regions show elevated concern for drayage and intermodal freight due to capacity reductions and rising fuel costs

Mexican crude oil exports are increasingly shifting to East Asia due to Atlantic market competition and pricing.

Fitch Ratings has increased its near-term price assumptions for most metals and mining commodities, reflecting current market trends

CMA CGM is implementing new FAK rates across major Asia-Europe and Europe-ISC trade routes starting July 1, 2026.

Fitch Ratings upgraded its 2026 global shipping outlook to neutral due to war-driven demand for alternative oil routes and higher tanker…