Port Congestion Delays Build Across Major Asia Trade Lanes
Global container shipping operations are facing renewed pressure as port congestion builds across several key port regions. Longer vessel queues, restricted berth availability, busy terminals and rising cargo volumes are all contributing to delays across major trade lanes. Market reports suggest port congestion is now at its highest level in four years, with around 11% […]
Strait of Hormuz Tensions Surge After Two Cargo Ships Attacked
The International Maritime Organisation has put on hold a planned evacuation of vessels and seafarers from the Gulf after a sudden escalation in violence in the Strait of Hormuz. The decision followed attacks on two commercial ships in the space of 24 hours. On Friday, the Evergreen containership MV Ever Lonely was reportedly hit by […]
Tightening Space Drives Further Asia-Europe Rate Increases
Asia–Europe ocean freight rates look set to rise again, with major carrier networks preparing to implement a new General Rate Increase from 1 July. Demand is still higher than available vessel capacity, giving carriers further opportunity to push through additional increases after the GRI applied earlier this month. The exact level of any increase will […]
Hormuz Due To Reopen, But A Return To Normal Will Take Time
Global markets have welcomed signs that tensions in the Gulf are potentially easing. Reports of a potential agreement between the United States and Iran, alongside expectations that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen as early as Friday, have already triggered a sharp reaction across commodity markets. Oil prices have been among the first indicators to […]
Ocean Freight Demand Strengthens As Asia Capacity Tightens
Global container shipping markets have entered a period of heightened activity, with demand gaining momentum earlier than expected across several major trade lanes. The strongest growth is being seen on export routes originating from Asia, where carriers are reporting a sustained increase in booking volumes. A combination of economic and geopolitical factors is contributing to […]
Carriers Propose June Rate Increases For Asia Ocean Freight
We may be about to get an update to a question we asked in an earlier article this month about the Asia peak season, as ocean freight prices seem set to climb from June 1st. Global shipping lines have announced a fresh wave of significant rate increases ahead of the anticipated peak season, with pricing […]
Tehran Expands Control Zone Around Strait Of Hormuz
Despite recent claims from President Trump that serious negotiations are now taking place, tensions in the Gulf region continue to escalate as Iran moves to strengthen its control over the Strait of Hormuz. This week, Iran announced a major expansion of the maritime zone surrounding the strategically critical waterway. Newly released maps outline an area […]
Peak Season Approaches But Has It Lost Its Predictability?
We are rapidly approaching the traditional Asia–Europe peak season, although recent years have demonstrated how increasingly difficult it has become to accurately predict seasonal market trends. Last year’s peak season for ocean freight exports from Asia was relatively subdued compared to previous years. During the pandemic era, by contrast, market conditions often felt as though […]
Trump Pauses Project Freedom Amid Containership Strike
President Trump has paused the newly announced Project Freedom maritime security operation after rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and renewed uncertainty surrounding US-Iran negotiations. The operation, introduced on Sunday, was designed to protect commercial shipping passing through the critical Gulf waterway. The proposed deployment included more than 100 aircraft operating from land and […]
Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Tolls Spark Houthi Rebel Fears
Iran has begun implementing its new policy that requires ships to pay transit fees when passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a move that could signal a broader shift in how key maritime routes are controlled. Authorities in Tehran have confirmed that initial payments have already reached the country’s central bank, suggesting the measure is […]