Containers are down by 7% this week; air cargo is up by +4%
Dear colleagues and interested parties
We are sharing the latest version of the cargo report.
The following highlights are worth noting:
- Global shipping industry:
- Hormuz movement: Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has resumed following the interim peace deal, but UNCTAD cautions that this should not be read as full normalisation, as energy, fertiliser, food-security and war-risk effects may continue to pass through supply chains.
- Freight rates: Spot container rates have continued to surge, with Drewry’s WCI up +9% (w/w) to $4 530/40ft, meaning rates have approximately doubled in two months, led by Transpacific and Asia–Europe increases.
- Port congestion: Global port congestion has deteriorated to its highest level since 2022, with 10.9% of the global fleet waiting at anchorages, compounding vessel-positioning and schedule-reliability risks.
- IATA Direct Air Waybill & EU de minimis:
- FIATA requested urgent airline clarification on implementation of expedited IATA Direct Air Waybill amendments from 1 July 2026, citing incomplete review and unresolved legal, operational, liability and insurance issues.
- The EU abolished its €150 de minimis duty exemption on 1 July 2026, replacing it with a temporary flat €3 customs duty per low-value item.
