What’s making the news in freight this week?

With our array of international freight and logistics across all modes, the U-Freight Group notes that Global freight markets remain in a state of flux, with airfreight rates on key Asia-Europe lanes showing signs of strengthening while ocean carriers continue to adjust networks in response to geopolitical disruption, congestion and changing demand.

Airfreight rates from China to Europe have strengthened following a period of volatility linked to changes in European import rules. According to data from TAC Index, rates on major lanes out of China were firmer to Europe in the seven days to 24 August, while rates to the US moved in the opposite direction. The market is understood to be adjusting to the introduction of a new flat-rate customs duty into the EU following the end of the previous de minimis regime for low-value parcels in July.

The change is particularly relevant to the air cargo market because of its impact on e-commerce flows between Asia and Europe. After the disruption and uncertainty surrounding the new regime, the latest data suggests that the market is beginning to settle, although capacity and demand remain important factors for forwarders and shippers to monitor.

Read the full news item here: https://www.aircargonews.net/data/2026/08/asia-europe-airfreight-rates-firm-up/?

Meanwhile, there are growing signs that container shipping could return to more normal operations through the Red Sea and Suez Canal before the end of 2026, despite the security situation in the region remaining unresolved. 

Container shipping analyst Lars Jensen believes the pace at which carriers are restoring services makes a year-end normalisation increasingly plausible. MSC has already announced the return of four major east-west services to Suez, while Maersk has also accelerated its return, with more than 30% of its previously Cape of Good Hope-routed volumes reportedly already back on the Suez route.

A return to Suez would significantly shorten voyages compared with routing around the Cape of Good Hope and could release additional vessel capacity into an already tight market. However, the transition is unlikely to be straightforward. Red Sea security risks remain, war-risk insurance costs have risen and some carriers may continue using the longer Cape route. Suez traffic has nevertheless reached its highest level since January 2024, although it remains well below pre-crisis levels.

Read the full news item here: https://splash247.com/container-shipping-tipped-to-normalise-through-red-sea-by-year-end/

Global container freight rates have moved higher, with the Drewry World Container Index increasing 4% to USD4,526 per 40 ft container for the week of 17–21 August. The increase was driven primarily by the Transpacific market, where spot rates from Shanghai to New York and Los Angeles both rose 9%, to USD9,507 and USD6,802 respectively. Resilient demand, blank sailings and reductions in available capacity are contributing to tighter space, while some carriers are also introducing Panama Canal surcharges from September.

The picture is more mixed on Asia-Europe routes, where Shanghai–Genoa rates fell 2% to USD4,955 per 40ft container and Shanghai–Rotterdam rates declined 1% to USD4,401. However, capacity remains constrained and congestion at Shanghai and Rotterdam, together with disruption from labour strikes at German ports and continuing geopolitical uncertainty, is still affecting schedule reliability. For shippers, the message is to plan ahead, with early booking and additional transit time helping to reduce the risk of rollovers and delays.

Read the full news item here: https://www.insidelogistics.ca/freight-rates/container-rates-up-as-global-disruption-continues/

What this means for shippers

The latest market developments highlight the continued importance of flexibility in international supply chains. Airfreight on Asia-Europe routes is showing renewed firmness as the market adapts to changes in EU import rules, while ocean freight remains affected by capacity management, congestion and geopolitical uncertainty.

For businesses moving cargo internationally, early planning and close monitoring of market conditions remain essential. The potential return of more container services through the Suez Canal could eventually improve transit times and release capacity, but for now the freight market remains subject to rapid changes in both rates and routing options.

The U-Freight Group is monitoring these developments and considering the range of solutions that may be available to customers.

For expert advice or further information on our multimodal freight and logistics services, please contact your local U-Freight office or visit the ocean freight section of this website.