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News Information

WEEK 20 Global Shipping Market Update

Publish Date: 2026/05/11   Views:

West Africa

Space: Tight
Rate Trend: Capacity improving with CMA/MSK weekly dual-vessel deployment and HMM's maiden West Africa service (HMM LIME 0001W | ETD SHK: May 14, 2026) offering competitive pricing. Blank sailings continue weekly, keeping space tight. Rate changes vary by carrier:
- CMA CGM: +USD 100/200 (South) - MSC: -USD 50/100 - Maersk: -USD 25/50 - COSCO: -USD 25/50 - ZIM: -USD 200/400
Fuel price surge poses ongoing risk. Early booking recommended.

East Africa

Space: Ample
Rate Trend: Capacity declined toward end-April, with steady cargo volume and upward rate pressure. Overall rates remain firm at elevated levels.

South Africa

Space: Ample
Rate Trend: Peak season underway with rising cargo volumes and stable freight rates. 40NOR dry reefer containers are increasingly available at approximately USD 500 below standard dry rates, offering cost savings where applicable.

Thailand & Vietnam

Space: +3%
Rate Trend: Increase USD 15–30/TEU
Update: Thailand benefits from additional capacity deployed by carriers, keeping rates stable at last week's level. Vietnam continues to see strong cargo volume driven by ongoing manufacturing relocation, with further rate upside potential.

Indonesia

Space: -3%
Rate Trend: Increase USD 25–50/TEU
Update: Post-Ramadan cargo volume continues to surge, with booking demand spiking sharply. Declining port efficiency and extended vessel waiting times at major ports are supporting further rate increases.

Singapore & Malaysia

Space: Stable
Rate Trend: Stable
Update: The S'pore & Malaysia market is steady with no significant volatility. Supply-demand remains relatively balanced, keeping rates at current levels.

Philippines

Space: Stable
Rate Trend: Stable
Update: Improved port cargo handling efficiency has loosened space supply, and rates continue at last week's level.

Japan & Korea

Space: Stable
Rate Trend: Stable
Update: Rising export orders are noted, while overall space supply remains ample. Rates to stay unchanged.

India

Space: -5%
Rate Trend: Stable
Update: The market remains influenced by post-holiday cautious sentiment, with cargo recovery falling short of expectations. Carriers are firm on pricing, but insufficient demand keeps rates largely flat.

Middle East

Space: Tight
Rate Trend: Stable
Update: Geopolitical tensions persist, and the Strait of Hormuz is unlikely to return to normal in the short term. Capacity remains tight with no significant improvement in supply.

Red Sea

Space: Tight
Rate Trend: Stable
Update: Pre-holiday cargo buildup continues, making space reservation difficult. Rates remain stable:
  • Direct service to Jeddah approx. USD 3,000 / 4,200
  • Transshipment service approx. USD 2,500 / 3,500
  • Direct service to Jeddah: approx. USD 3,000 / 4,200
  • Transshipment service: approx. USD 2,500 / 3,500

Australia & New Zealand

Space: Decreased
Rate Trend: Increasing
Update: Australia continues to face tight space supply relative to demand, keeping freight rates elevated. West Australia remains stable with balanced conditions. Transit performance has improved somewhat, but arrival times remain extended and unreliable.

Europe & Mediterranean

Space: Decreased
Rate Trend: Increasing
Update: Blank sailings are widespread across Europe and Mediterranean services. Mid-May sailings are fully booked across the board. Capacity remains tight and freight rates are rising sharply in the second half of May.

U.S. East Coast

Rate Trend: Stable with upward momentum
Update: Post-Labor Day shipment surge continues with explosive cargo growth. Severe space shortages across all services with some sailings seeing one container hard to find. Rollover risk is rising sharply. Rates expected to climb approximately USD 300 from May 14. Maersk and WHL have announced Peak Season Surcharge (PSS), effective May 25. Early space booking is strongly advised to avoid extra surcharges.

U.S. West Coast

Rate Trend: Slower increase, rates remain firm
Update: THE Alliance's resumption of EC4 service will gradually improve U.S. East Coast capacity. However, short-term space remains tight, and the actual impact of mid-to-late May rate push efforts remains to be seen. Early booking is recommended.

South America West / Mexico

Rate Trend: Increase by USD 500/500
Space: Ample
Update: Capacity tight with high cargo accumulation. Space protection shipments require advance confirmation. COSCO and WSA5 WK20 OMIT LZC; WSA6 omitting South China calls from May — please adjust cargo plans accordingly. WSA vessel capacity remains tight; heavy containers require separate confirmation.

Central America

Rate Trend: Increase by USD 500/500
Space: Ample
Update: COSCO has suspended Balboa-bound cargo acceptance. Cargo transshipping via Balboa to Central America (Puerto Caldera / Corinto / San Lorenzo) should be routed via Lazaro. COSCO Puerto Caldera adds Chancay transshipment routing.

Panama / Caribbean

Rate Trend: Increase by USD 500/500
Space: Tight
Update: Due to geopolitical factors, COSCO has suspended Balboa-bound shipments. Other Caribbean ports are open for booking except Puerto Cortes and Port-au-Prince which require per-shipment confirmation. Heavy containers still require prior approval and space confirmation.

South America East

Rate Trend: Increase by USD 500/500
Space: Tight
Update: Severe schedule delays in May have reduced effective capacity. Space protection shipments require per-booking confirmation. 40NOR containers remain relatively available, and refrigerated-to-dry conversions can be pre-booked. COSCO has suspended Rosario feeder service. Rio de Janeiro faces blanking and Singapore transshipment rollover risks.


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