As Chinese New Year approaches, the market is heating up once again: Rising freight levels, significant tightening space, ongoing geopolitical curveballs, new pricing signals from carriers and more and more blanked sailings from Asia to Europe. This edition gives you the clarity you need before the rush hits the van.

Global ocean freight enters the final quarter of 2025 in a fragile balance. While spot rates show mild recovery, the Asia–Europe trade remains weighed down by congestion,
delayed schedules, and uneven alliance performance. Across all major lanes, shifting trade routes and renewed U.S.–China tensions keep uncertainty high. With carriers tightening capacity ahead of 2026 contracts, agility and foresight remain essential for supply chain stability.

From the Alpine tunnels to the ports of Rotterdam and the highways of Poland, the landscape of European road freight is being reshaped by shifting costs, new regulations, and long-awaited infrastructure projects. As the final quarter of 2025 begins, transport operators are navigating a complex mix of recovery and restraint: rising wages, postponed tax hikes, tightening environmental rules, and rates that remain stable — for now.

From mounting congestion on the Asia–Europe tradelane and weather-related port closures in China, to new geopolitical risks in the Red Sea and shifting US trade policies – disruptions are piling up across regions. Even though freight rates are falling, volatility in schedules, infrastructure and regulation continues to challenge reliability. In this Market Update we highlight the latest developments shaping global logistics and what they mean for shippers in the months ahead.

Global trade shows small signs of recovery, but disruptions remain the norm. From shifting schedule reliability and Red Sea security risks to new regulations and the start of BMSB season, supply chains face no shortage of challenges. Here’s what’s shaping the market this month.

Global trade is facing mounting pressure from all sides—congestion, conflict, compliance, and even natural disasters. In this update, we cover the key developments shaping ocean freight today: from Cape-induced port delays and Arctic detours to tightened security rules, trade tensions and tsunami disruptions. Read on to stay ahead.

Rising fuel prices, stricter tolls, zero-emission enforcement and ongoing labour pressures continue to shape the European road freight market. This update highlights the key developments and what they mean for shippers across the continent.

From rising tensions in the Middle East to mounting congestion in European ports, geopolitical forces are shaking up global shipping once again. As carriers reroute vessels and peak season approaches, supply chains face growing instability. In this update, we explore how international unrest, shifting rate dynamics, and safety concerns are converging to reshape logistics, just when predictability is needed most.

May brings major shifts in global logistics, with falling container rates due to US trade tariffs and ongoing uncertainty. The Red Sea ceasefire deal offers little reassurance, while congestion in North West Europe forces shipping lines to reroute. With global container throughput expected to decline, carriers face fluctuating demand, and ports like Rotterdam and Antwerp struggle with capacity, reshaping trade flows. In this Market Update, we explore how these shifts may shape capacity, rates, and supply chain decisions moving forward.

From shifting alliances and falling rates to geopolitical tensions and port congestion—global logistics is under pressure on multiple fronts. Carriers are navigating new networks while holding off on capacity cuts, reliability is being tested, and risks in key regions remain high.

Curious how these developments impact your supply chain? Dive into this month’s Market Update for the full picture.

Navigate Europe’s shifting road freight landscape. From evolving toll systems and rising spot rates to the accelerating e-truck market and a deepening driver shortage, Europe’s

From shifting alliances and falling rates to geopolitical tensions and port congestion—global logistics is under pressure on multiple fronts. Carriers are navigating new networks while holding off on capacity cuts, reliability is being tested, and risks in key regions remain high.

Curious how these developments impact your supply chain? Dive into this month’s Market Update for the full picture.

Shifting freight rates, changing trade alliances, and geopolitical tensions are reshaping global logistics. While long-term contract rates rise despite falling spot rates, container production is set to decline, and new regulations are redefining competition. How will these shifts impact supply chains?

The ocean freight market is facing significant turbulence, with spot rates dropping sharply, new trade dynamics forming, and geopolitical shifts impacting global shipping routes. Major alliance restructures are further reshaping capacity and competition. From the Suez Canal’s recovery efforts to shifting carrier strategies and overcapacity concerns, this edition explores the key developments shaping the industry.

Stay informed about Europe’s evolving logistics landscape, encompassing market dynamics, sustainability initiatives, toll changes, an ever evolving Road Freight Market and rising costs.

The ocean freight industry is at a pivotal moment. Climate policies are reshaping operations, with mid-term measures from the IMO and the EU ETS driving sustainability. Yet, 2024 is also one of the most profitable years in container shipping history, showcasing a delicate balance between green investments and financial performance. Meanwhile, the return of HMM to the Transatlantic trade adds a layer of complexity as alliances shift.

The logistics landscape is facing significant shifts, from stricter EU regulations and rising fuel costs to global supply chain disruptions. These changes bring both challenges and opportunities. Dive into our latest market update to explore key developments and how they may impact your business.

The container shipping industry is entering a critical period, with volatile rates, record-breaking ship orders, and new regulations on the horizon. As Chinese New Year and (possible) rate hikes approach, shipping companies are preparing for increased demand and new market challenges. This month’s update explores how these changes will impact the future of ocean freight.

Stay informed about Europe’s evolving logistics landscape, encompassing market dynamics, sustainability initiatives, strikes, an ever evolving Road Freight Market and rising costs.

Spot container freight rates on major East-West trades are experiencing a decline with the upcoming Golden Week, but the pace is slowing. While certain routes see significant drops, long-term contract rates tell a different story, indicating potential changes ahead. As major alliances prepare for shifts and strikes lurk, it’s essential to stay informed.

Spot rates for container shipping are showing signs of easing after a long period of increases. Although rates remain high compared to last year, the recent decline signals a potential shift in the market. With disruptions still affecting global shipping and significant geopolitical tensions at play.

Extreme weather near the Cape of Good Hope has severely disrupted container shipping routes, causing significant delays and container losses. Meanwhile, global demand for ocean freight has surged to record levels, and port congestion in Asia is worsening. As shippers brace for an unpredictable peak season, read on for the latest updates on these critical shipping challenges.

Latest insight and analysis for the European Road Freight Market, with this month’s topic: Disruptions, sustainability, driver shortages and a road freight market update.

Discover the latest insights into escalating container port congestion in Asia and its profound impact on global shipping. From rising delays in key hubs to forecasts of worsening capacity issues, explore how these developments are reshaping logistics strategies. Gain deeper understanding into early peak season dynamics and critical container shortages that are crucial for navigating today’s complex supply chain landscape.

Container shipping spot rates from China have surged, with the World Container Index showing a 20% increase in just one week. This significant rise reflects the complex challenges and hectic facing global shipping, from vessel shortages to increased congestion. Dive into the details and explore the factors driving these dramatic changes.

Stay ahead in the dynamic world of maritime logistics with our latest market update. Discover how ocean freight carriers are strategically counter attacking rate declines, the impact of equipment challenges in China, and the revival of the Panama Canal. Plus, gain insights into the urgent maritime distress call urging global action.

Stay informed about the rapidly changing European road freight market, where spot rates are dropping, the driver shortage is decreasing, and where a lot is happening around electric trucks throughout Europe.

Read all about the announced revised FAK rates, Panama Canal, the bridge collapse in Baltimore, and Red Sea in this Market Update from March!

The Red Sea situation has been going on for over two months now. Spot rates are slowly but surely dropping. Why? Read all about it in this Market Update!

The Red Sea situation causes pressure on all trade lanes, worldwide. This and more you are about to read in this market update!

Stay informed about the rapidly changing European road freight market, where protests in Germany are emerging, there is still a driver shortage, and a switch to electric trucks is happening throughout Europe.

We are almost at the end of the year 2023. A year with sustainability as one of the main topics, different strikes around the world, exceptional low rates and much more.

Read all bout it in this, bigger than normal, Market Update where we are going to look forward to 2024 and what we can expect!

The rates didn’t go up as expected in November. In this market update, you will read more about this and also about an important underlying problem.

Read on for all the details!

Big changes in container shipping as the EU ends cartel exemptions. Effective April 25, 2024, alliances like 2M, Ocean Alliance, and THE Alliance will be impacted, while major players like Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM raise rates.

Read on for all the details!

Discover the shocking truth behind Europe’s maritime sector, as it breaks all-time CO2 emission records. Also, read the latest developments around the rates. 
Download our Market Update to discover all the details of these subjects!

Stay informed about the rapidly changing European Road freight and multimodal market, where sustainability trends emerge and different toll rates increase throughout the whole of Europe.

The spot rates are declining again. They started a surprising revival at the end of July, but they are already on the same level as rates in mid-June. Furthermore, we look at the situation at the Panama Canal with the ongoing drought. Download our Market Update to discover all the details of these subjects!

Lees alles over de stakingen in Canada's westelijke havens en de onzekerheid rond deze stakingen. Vervoerders overwegen ook aanzienlijke tariefstijgingen vanaf augustus 2023. Lees onze Market Update om uit te vinden waarom!

De droogte van het Panamakanaal is een ernstig probleem. Het benadrukt de klimaatverandering en de dringende behoefte aan duurzame zeevracht. Expediteurs verwachten een herstel van de vraag naar containers. Lees meer in deze marktupdate!

Blijf op de hoogte van de snel veranderende Europese wegvracht- en multimodale markt, waar duurzaamheidstrends zoals de sterke stijging in de verkoop van e-trucks en de opkomst van e-brandstoffen de sector een nieuwe vorm geven.

Na de afgelopen twee jaar vertragingen en achterstanden te hebben opgelopen, keren de lijndienstregelingen in de zeevrachtsector geleidelijk terug naar hun pre-pandemische prestaties. Wat is hiervan de oorzaak?

De containervloot nadert ook een zeer grote mijlpaal! Lees onze marktupdate en ontdek wat dat is.

In 2023 hebben de tarieven voor zeevracht hun laagste niveau bereikt sinds augustus 2020. Wat betekent dat voor de zeevracht en wat kunnen we verwachten?

Daarnaast volgen we de vooruitgang op het gebied van duurzaamheid binnen de zeevracht. Meer daarover in deze Market Update!

De zeevrachtsector als geheel zet grote stappen in de richting van duurzaamheid en het verkleinen van de ecologische voetafdruk. Een opmerkelijk initiatief binnen de sector is de lancering van een Energiefonds, dat steun biedt aan start-ups en bedrijven die zich bezighouden met decarbonisatieprojecten of het ontwikkelen van oplossingen voor hernieuwbare energie.

De transportmarkt voor wegvervoer in Europa zal naar verwachting afkoelen als gevolg van geopolitieke onzekerheid en een recordbrekende inflatie. En Oost-Europese markten laten betere prestaties zien dan West-Europese landen.

We zijn bijna aan het einde van het jaar 2022. Een jaar waarin we een zeer onvoorspelbare markt zagen met veel ups en downs. Het was het einde van de pandemie en het begin van hoge inflatie. We zagen recordhoogtes en -dalingen en nu wordt het eindelijk weer normaal. Nu, midden december, is het tijd om te zien wat we in 2023 kunnen verwachten.

De laatste maanden waren zeer uitdagend met historisch hoge oceaantarieven en lege afvaarten rond de Gouden Week. Het was echt niet gemakkelijk. Gelukkig waren er de laatste weken enkele belangrijke verbeteringen. De containertarieven worden langzaam weer normaal, de lege afvaarten stabiliseren zich na de Golden Week in China, en ook de betrouwbaarheid van de dienstregeling verbetert.

Van Azië naar de Amerikaanse westkust is de gemiddelde capaciteit in de afgelopen vier weken gedaald tot het laagste niveau sinds februari, zo blijkt uit nieuwe gegevens van online tarievenplatform Xeneta. In deze periode heeft gemiddeld 275.000 TEU Azië verlaten op weg naar de Amerikaanse westkust. Dat is ongeveer 50.000 TEU minder dan de piek van begin augustus.

De huidige geopolitieke situatie, de macro-economische onzekerheid en de recordinflatie in Europa hebben ernstige gevolgen voor de vervoerssector. De afgelopen twee jaar hebben we een enorme onevenwichtigheid gezien op de Europese markt en in het zeevervoer.

De hoge bezettingsgraad van de werven bij ECT Delta & Euromax Container Terminal in Rotterdam en bij meerdere containerterminals in de haven van Antwerpen heeft volgens een veelheid van bronnen een kritiek niveau bereikt. De belangrijkste oorzaak is de langere verblijftijd van containers, die tot operationele verstoringen leidt.

Terwijl het aantal gevallen van covid-19 in Europa de laatste weken is gedaald, is de situatie in Azië in een andere richting geëvolueerd. Een groot aantal landen op het continent vertoont een explosie van stijgende covid-19-gevallen, ondanks het strikte beleid ter preventie van uitbraken dat in veel van de landen is ingevoerd.

Terwijl het aantal gevallen van covid-19 in Europa de laatste weken is gedaald, is de situatie in Azië in een andere richting geëvolueerd. Een groot aantal landen op het continent vertoont een explosie van stijgende covid-19-gevallen, ondanks het strikte beleid ter preventie van uitbraken dat in veel van de landen is ingevoerd.

Elke maandelijkse update belichten we een trending topic dat van invloed is op de wereldwijde zeevrachtmarkt.

Elke maandelijkse update belichten we een trending topic dat van invloed is op de wereldwijde zeevrachtmarkt.

Elke maandelijkse update belichten we een trending topic dat van invloed is op de wereldwijde zeevrachtmarkt.

Elke maandelijkse update belichten we een trending topic dat van invloed is op de wereldwijde zeevrachtmarkt.

Elke maandelijkse update belichten we een trending topic dat van invloed is op de wereldwijde zeevrachtmarkt.