Containers are up by +6% this week; air cargo is up by +9%
Good morning, colleagues and interested parties
We are sharing the latest version of the cargo report.
The following highlights are worth noting:
1. Global shipping:
a) The reported reopening of the Strait of Hormuz following the US-Iran peace agreement has reduced immediate supply-chain risk, although vessel transits are expected to resume cautiously as carriers assess security, insurance and operational conditions.
b) Drewry’s WCI increased by +12% this week to $3 969/FEU, reaching an 18-month high as peak-season demand, tighter capacity and carrier surcharges continue to support spot-rate increases.
2. TNPA – consolidated figures for May:
a) Container throughput totalled 342,363 TEUs, which is up by +12% (m/m), but down -1% (y/y).
b) Total bulk cargo totalled 17,6 million tonnes, which is down by -1% (m/m) and approximately similar to last year (+0.1%, y/y). c. Vehicle throughput totalled 62,300 units, which is down by -14% (m/m), but up +2% (y/y).
3. Air cargo update for May:
a) For the full month of May, international air cargo volumes showed a modest rebound following the earlier reduction linked to Gulf-related disruption and broader global weakness in air freight
b) Johannesburg recorded a +4% (m/m) increase versus April and was +5% higher (y/y) compared with May 2025.
c) Cape Town moved in the opposite direction, declining by -10% (m/m) and -11% (y/y).
d) Durban posted the strongest monthly recovery, increasing by +26% (m/m), although volumes remained 17% below May 2025 levels.
e) Consequently, total international air cargo for May 2026 increased by +2% (m/m) and was marginally above last year’s level, rising by +1% (y/y).
f) Despite the rebound, the year-to-date cargoes remain down by -3.4% (y/y), mainly because of the Gulf disruptions.
