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WCI at 4,585: Shanghai Clears in 38 Hours While Ashdod Starts to Queue
The Drewry World Container Index rose 2 percent to USD 4,585 per 40ft on 22 October, the highest in 15 weeks, but the driver changed: blank sailings fell from six to two on the transpacific and rose from two to eight on Asia to Europe while Shanghai vessel waiting time dropped from 97 hours to 38. Ashdod turned congested with 68 percent of arrivals over 48 hours, Chittagong holds a 70 hour median stay above an empty anchorage, and war risk insurance on Gulf routings is quoted at up to 10 percent of cargo value.
The Flat Index Test: SCFI Holds at 3,680 While the All-In Bill Keeps Climbing
The SCFI closed flat at 3,679.6 points on 21 October, still about 181 percent above last year, while Drewry counts 34 blank sailings across weeks 42 to 46 and transpacific capacity cuts of 12 to 15 percent. A new Drewry sourced board for China to South Africa shows USD 900 spreads on a 40HQ between origin ports, Israel quotations hold steady on Cape routings, and Chittagong clears the anchorage in 0.14 days while the yard remains the binding constraint.
The Queue Moved to the Gateway: Nine Days at Khor Fakkan, Seventy Hours at Chittagong
Chinese load ports have cleared, with Shanghai at 2.14 days, Ningbo at 1.95 and Shekou at 1.15, while the waiting has moved to the destination gateways. Portcast puts the median vessel wait at 9.4 days in Khor Fakkan and 7.79 days in Fujairah, up 34 percent and 163 percent in a week, with about 217 ships at anchor and Hormuz running roughly 3.5 transits a day against a pre-crisis norm of 85. Chittagong now clears the anchorage in 0.14 days but holds vessels 70 hours at berth, Durban averages 7.33 days with the gateway terminal at 10 to 16 days, and C.H. Robinson estimates 12 percent of global container capacity is tied up by congestion, the highest in four years.
Two GRI Rounds and a 108 Dollar Barrel: The Freight Rate Is Only Half the Invoice
Seven carriers filed general rate increases of USD 2,000 to 3,000 per 40ft on the trans-Pacific effective 15 October and again on 1 November, while the Freightos Baltic Index showed Asia to North Europe down 15 percent to USD 3,700 per FEU and Asia to the Mediterranean down 7 percent to USD 3,900. In the same week Brent closed at USD 108.51 per barrel, its highest since May, Singapore very low sulphur fuel oil was assessed near USD 930 per tonne and high sulphur fuel oil reached USD 873, leaving a spread of about 30 dollars and gutting the scrubber case in the largest Asian hub. Roughly 200,000 TEU of new capacity was delivered in September with no scrapping, the orderbook sits at 45 percent of the fleet, and Drewry counted only 34 blank sailings across weeks 42 to 46.
Suez Capacity Doubled in Six Weeks, Yet the 19 October Rate Round Still Lands
Xeneta reports that weekly capacity through the Bab el-Mandeb strait doubled from 224,000 to 448,000 TEU between 27 August and 5 October, while Clarksons puts Suez container capacity at 753,000 TEU per week, 52 percent of the 2023 average, with 36 percent of eligible capacity now using the canal instead of the Cape. The Drewry World Container Index still rose 3 percent to USD 4,485 per 40ft on 15 October and a new FAK round of USD 4,200 to 4,700 per 40ft takes effect on 19 October, with Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM and MSC publishing different levels. Carriers are blanking 58,200 TEU on the Far East to US West Coast trade, Chittagong is holding yarn consignments over a bond dispute, Durban Gateway Terminal still has 11 vessels at anchorage, and Ashdod waits two days.
The Rebound Is a Queue: Asia-Europe Rates Rise 6 Percent as Global Schedule Reliability Falls to 27 Percent
The Drewry World Container Index rose 3 percent to USD 4,485 per 40ft on 15 October, the first Asia to Europe increase after three consecutive weekly declines, with Shanghai to Rotterdam up 6 percent to USD 3,522 and Shanghai to Genoa up 7 percent to USD 3,945. In the same week Xeneta reported that global schedule reliability fell to 27 percent in September, that only 4 percent of Far East to Europe vessels arrived on time and that average delays reached 9.9 days. Singapore queues doubled from 12 to 22 ships, Durban Gateway Terminal holds a backlog of 30,352 container moves, Chittagong is still rated congested and Gemini restores its Far East to Middle East link through Khor Fakkan on 17 October.
The 19 October Rate Test: Four Carriers Raise FAK Into a Falling Index as Gateways Buckle
The Drewry World Container Index fell 2 percent to USD 4,351 per 40ft and Asia to Europe declined for a thirteenth week, yet Maersk, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd and MSC will all raise FAK rates from 19 October, up to USD 4,600 per 40ft into the West Mediterranean. Sea-Intelligence says delays now absorb 8.5 percent of the global fleet and could take seven to ten months to clear. Gemini replaces Jebel Ali with Khor Fakkan from 17 October, Durban Gateway Terminal faces 20 to 24 days of added supply chain time, and Chittagong rates remain stable with DP World signing a 15 year NCT concession.
Two Markets, One Fuel Bill: Container Rates Drift Sideways as Tanker Earnings Set a Fifth Straight Record
The Drewry World Container Index fell 2 percent to USD 4,351 per 40ft and the SCFI held near flat at 3,664.11 points, while the ClarkSea Index climbed 12 percent to a fifth consecutive record of USD 84,951 per day and VLCC earnings reached USD 804,601 per day. Suez transits recovered to 108,400 TEU per day, only 42 percent below 2023 levels, and Durban Gateway Terminal remained 10 to 16 days behind with a signed 15-year NCT concession in Chittagong.
Post-Golden Week Restart Meets a Policy Shock: Asia-Europe Slips a Thirteenth Week as Destination Fees Stack Up
China placed all medium and heavy rare earth elements under export licence on 9 October and the United States threatened an additional 100 percent tariff on 10 October, while the Drewry World Container Index fell 2 percent to USD 4,351 per 40ft and Asia to Europe recorded a thirteenth weekly decline. Maersk doubled the Durban congestion fee destination to USD 900 per 40ft from 1 November, Chittagong kept rates and space stable with yards at 75 to 80 percent, and China to United States air spot rates fell 7 percent to USD 4.07 per kg.
The Restart Meets the Queue: Rates Fall a Second Week as Asian Congestion Holds 860,000 TEU
The Drewry World Container Index fell 2 percent to USD 4,351 per 40ft on 8 October as capacity returned through the Suez Canal and Asia to Europe rates declined for a thirteenth week, even as 136 vessels and almost 860,000 TEU sat in congestion off Shanghai and Ningbo. MSC and other carriers announced general rate increases from 19 October, Durban Pier 2 waited 10 to 18 days and Chittagong yards stayed above 75 percent, United States September imports set a record at 2,546,261 TEU, and the Section 301 port fee suspension remained set to expire on 9 November while China announced a reciprocal port fee on United States related vessels.
The Last Suez Holdout Falls Into Line: A Record 4,436 Dollar Rate Gap and Four-Year High Congestion
The Premier Alliance returned its Southeast Asia to North Europe FE1 service to the Suez Canal, bringing the last major alliance back into the Red Sea and lifting the share of Asia-Europe sailings using the route to about 35 percent. The spread between Shanghai to Los Angeles and Shanghai to Rotterdam widened to a record 4,436 dollars per 40ft, global port congestion reached a four-year high at about 12 percent of the fleet, Maersk and CMA CGM applied new surcharges into South Africa while Durban waited up to sixteen days at Pier 2, and the United States Section 301 port fee suspension remained set to expire on 9 November despite a truce extension to January 2027.
Asia-Europe Falls for a Twelfth Week as Hapag-Lloyd Maps Its Suez Return and Hormuz Strikes Continue
The Drewry World Container Index fell for a second week to 4,434 USD per 40ft on 1 October as Asia-Europe declined for a twelfth straight week, Hapag-Lloyd announced a phased return of Asia-Mediterranean services through the Suez Canal between October and December, attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz continued into the first days of October, and the Panama Canal raised daily Neopanamax slots from five to ten for transit dates from 15 October.
Golden Week Begins: 15 Transpacific Blank Sailings Next Week and a Rate Slide Drewry Says Has Already Started
China Golden Week runs 1 to 7 October with 10 October set as an adjusted working day, and carriers have named the cancelled voyages: Maersk blanks AE15 out of Qingdao, AE12 out of Ningbo on 8 October and AE1 out of Shanghai on 10 October. Drewry expects rates to fall next week anyway as Suez transits recover, 58 of 712 East-West sailings are blanked for weeks 40 to 44 with 64 percent on the eastbound transpacific, and a CMA CGM peak season surcharge of 4,000 USD per FEU from Asia Pacific and India to both US coasts takes effect today.
The Capacity Flip Arrives: Two Million TEU Returns to Suez as October Surcharges Reach Africa
More than 140 containerships carrying over two million TEU have returned to the Suez route since May, and last week was the busiest week for canal transits since 2024, with 30 ships of more than 4,000 TEU passing through. Freight rates ended an eight week run at 3,686.62 on the SCFI and Drewry WCI slipped 1 percent to 4,468 USD per 40ft, while Sea-Intelligence warned that releasing vessel days back into service could flip the market from shortage to surplus. The bill is arriving on the destination side: Maersk files 250 and 500 USD for Far East Asia to South Africa and Mauritius from 15 October, CMA CGM adds 600 to 800 USD per TEU for China to East Africa, and Durban delay hours moved from 39 in January to 364 in September.
Reliability Falls to 29 Percent as Chattogram Gates Shut and Hormuz Risk Re-Prices the Gulf
Xeneta put global ocean schedule reliability at 29 percent in August, a drop of roughly four percentage points in a single month, while container deliveries at Chittagong Port stopped at four in the afternoon on September 28 after a clash over gate pass fees and Iranian state media reported seven vessels targeted overnight in the Strait of Hormuz. Drewry WCI held near 4,468 USD per 40ft as SCFI ended an eight-week run at 3,686.62, India to Middle East spots climbed 25 to 40 percent with Nhava Sheva to Dammam at 9,500 USD per 40ft, and the October surcharge wave includes 11,650 USD per container for Northwest India to all destinations and 1,000 USD per box for Asian cargo including Bangladesh to Latin America.
The Berth Clears, the Gate Does Not: Suez Transits Jump 17 Percent as October Surcharges Land
Drewry WCI eased 1 percent to 4,468 USD per 40ft as Suez containership transits rose 17 percent from 41 to 48 and the Cape of Good Hope diversion fell to a two-year low of 4.6 percent, while Transnet admitted average vessel waits of 61 hours at Durban Pier 1 and 99 hours at Pier 2 and truck queues returned to Bayhead Road. SCFI held at 3,686.62 with the Persian Gulf lane up 5.4 percent to 6,586 USD per TEU, Brent closed at 106.60 USD as the Strait of Hormuz reached day 208 of closure, and a surcharge wave taking effect between September 25 and October 15 adds up to 800 USD per box on heavy and African cargo.
Hormuz Falls to Two Vessels a Day as Suez Sets a Record and Chattogram Payments Chaos Hits Cargo
Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell to just two commodity vessels on September 21 against a pre-conflict norm of about 125 a day, with the IMO now counting 80 verified attacks on merchant shipping and at least 22 seafarer deaths, while the Suez Canal Authority reported a record August of 1,358 vessels and 567.1 million USD in revenue. Drewry WCI held at 4,500 USD per FEU with Shanghai to Rotterdam down 9 percent to 3,626, NYSHEX transpacific rates jumped up to 7.45 percent, and Chattogram withdrew a single-bank payment directive after protests disrupted clearance for several hours.
Maersk Confirms 26 New Megaships While Typhoon Saudel and Chokepoint Fees Keep China Export Rates Elevated
Maersk has confirmed an order for 26 LNG dual-fuel vessels of 18,600 TEU each, lifting its orderbook to about 35 percent of its fleet, while Typhoon Saudel left Shanghai vessels waiting up to 9 days at some terminals and the SCFI rose for an eighth straight week to 3,687.83 points. Shanghai to Jebel Ali spot rates climbed 13 percent to 8,509 USD per FEU, Drewry recorded a fourth consecutive record week for intra-Asia rates, and the Panama Canal cut daily transit slots from 36 to 32.
No MRN, No Load: The September 30 EU Customs Deadline Arrives as Asia-Europe Rates Slide 10 Percent
From September 30, Maersk will refuse to load any European Union bound or transit cargo that does not hold a valid Movement Reference Number, a hard documentation rule that lands in the same week the Shanghai settlement index for Europe fell 10.2 percent to 2,610.55 points. Drewry WCI holds at 4,500 USD per FEU with Shanghai to New York at 10,394 and Rotterdam at 3,626, Xeneta puts the Far East to US East Coast at 11,259 USD, carriers have scheduled about 1.5 million TEU of Asia-North Europe capacity around Golden Week, and UKMTO recorded two tanker incidents at Hormuz on September 21.
The Suez Return Reaches Scale: Asia-Europe Rates Slide as the Transpacific Extends an Eight-Week Run
The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index rose 0.7 percent to 3,687.83 points for an eighth straight weekly gain while Shanghai to Rotterdam fell 9 percent and Asia-Mediterranean spot pricing dropped 12 percent, as Sea-Intelligence confirms about 27 percent of Asia-Europe capacity has returned to the Red Sea. Durban waterside throughput jumps 35 percent to 4,742 TEU per day, Chittagong faces a protest calendar from September 22 to October 5 over the DP World terminal plan, and the Gulf meeting with Iran is postponed.
WCI Climbs to 4,500 as the Golden Week Rush Splits the Market: Transpacific Up, Asia-Europe Down, Red Sea Risk Back
The Drewry World Container Index rose 1 percent to 4,500 USD per FEU in the week of September 17, with Shanghai to Los Angeles up 5 percent and Shanghai to New York up 7 percent ahead of Golden Week, while Shanghai to Rotterdam slid 9 percent. Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd expand their Suez return even as Houthi control of Bab el-Mandeb deepens, Kpler records only 24 commodity transits per day, and Durban Pier 2 waiting times exceed 13 days. Chittagong delivers a productivity milestone at Patenga.
Golden Week Blank Sailings Jump 56 Percent in a Week as Carriers Add More Suez Services
Drewry reports announced blank sailings on the main east-west trades jumped nearly 56 percent in a single week, from 39 to 70 voyages, with 79 of 721 departures cancelled between September 14 and October 18. Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd add four more Asia-Mediterranean-Europe services to Suez even as Houthi forces tighten control of Bab el-Mandeb. Transpacific rates firm, Asia-Europe softens, and Bangladesh inland diesel shortages plus new Africa surcharges decide whether cargo arrives on time.
Suez Return Goes Mainstream: COSCO and OOCL Join From September 15 as Cape Diversions Fall to a Two-Year Low
COSCO and OOCL begin eastbound Suez Canal transits on September 15, joining CMA CGM, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, while capacity still diverted around the Cape of Good Hope falls to 4.6 percent of the global fleet, a two-year low. Asia-Europe rates slide toward USD 3,480 per 40 ft as transpacific holds and congestion shifts downstream to South Asia and the Indian subcontinent. What China shippers moving to Bangladesh, Israel, Africa and the Middle East should do now.
Pre-Golden Week Squeeze: SCFI Posts Seventh Straight Gain as Red Sea Chokepoints Tighten and Africa Surcharges Bite
The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index rose 2 percent to 3,662.18 on September 11, a seventh consecutive weekly gain, while the Drewry World Container Index held at USD 4,476 per 40 ft. Houthi forces completed their takeover of the Yemeni Red Sea coast, Saudi Arabia shut its main East-West pipeline, and Durban congestion surcharges take effect September 15. Here is what China shippers moving cargo to Bangladesh, Israel, Africa and the Middle East should do before Golden Week.
Hormuz Escalation Meets Golden Week Blank Sailings: WCI Steady at USD 4,476 as Risk Premiums Climb on Middle East Trades
United States forces sank five Iranian tankers on September 9 and Iran retaliated against ten commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, pushing Brent above USD 102. Drewry WCI holds at USD 4,476 per 40 ft while carriers blank more than 18 sailings before Golden Week and Panama cuts transits to 32 per day. What China shippers should do now.
Chittagong Port Raises Fees 41 Percent in First Tariff Overhaul for Almost 40 Years: Cost Impact on China-Bangladesh Cargo and the Golden Week Capacity Squeeze
The Chittagong Port Authority has gazetted an average 41 percent service charge increase effective September 15, the first major tariff revision since the 1980s. Meanwhile Drewry WCI holds at USD 4,465 per 40 ft, carriers deepen Golden Week blank sailings and COSCO launches direct China-Jeddah services. What China shippers should do this week.
Carriers Begin a Cautious Return to the Red Sea: Suez Pilot Sailings, Steady Middle East Rates and a Recovering Chittagong
MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd and COSCO have all moved at least one service back through Suez, with about 19% of Asia-Europe capacity already off the Cape route. Middle East rates hold near USD 6,135 per TEU while Chittagong congestion eases after the strike-driven peak of last week. What China shippers should watch before Golden Week.
SCFI Rallies for Sixth Week to Two-Year High: Chittagong Congestion and Golden Week Blank Sailings Test Asia Exporters
The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index climbed 2.29% on September 4 to 3,590.05 points — its highest level since mid-July 2024 — as trans-Pacific rates keep climbing while Europe softens. Meanwhile a transport strike has pushed Chittagong import containers to 38,159 TEU, above yard capacity, and Maersk, MSC and Hapag-Lloyd published their Golden Week blank-sailing programs.
September 2026 Global Freight Market Update: US East Coast Rates Near Record, Europe Eases Ahead of Golden Week
A sharply divided freight market: Far East–US East Coast spot rates hit $10,910 per FEU — just 14% below the Covid-19 record — while Asia–Europe rates fall for a third month. Typhoon congestion in China, the gradual return of the Suez Canal, and Golden Week blank sailings explained.
Bangladesh & Israel Logistics Dynamics 2026: Supply Chain Transformation and Cross-Border E-Commerce Opportunities
As global supply chains continue to restructure, Bangladesh and Israel are driving regional logistics industry transformation in distinct yet equally remarkable ways. In 2026, both countries demonstrate strong momentum in infrastructure upgrades, technology innovation, and cross-border e-commerce expansion.
139th Canton Fair 2026: What Buyers Need to Know About Shipping After the Fair
The 139th Canton Fair is wrapping up Phase 2 (April 23–27) with record overseas attendance. If you've placed orders at the fair, here's your complete logistics guide — shipping timelines, freight options, customs tips, and how Spider Logistics can help move your goods.
April 2026 Global Freight Market Update: Rates, Tariffs & What Shippers Must Know
Hormuz disruption continues to push sea freight costs higher, US tariffs on China goods rise to 15%, and air cargo rates on China–USA lanes drop 16% this week. Full April 2026 market intelligence for importers and exporters.
March 2026 Shipping Update: From China to Israel
Air and sea freight rates, transit times, and the latest market trends for the China–Israel trade lane — including the impact of route diversions and airspace restrictions.
March 2026 Shipping Update: From China to Bangladesh
Latest air and sea freight rates, transit times, Guangzhou and Hong Kong flight options, and post-Ramadan logistics trends — a comprehensive March 2026 update for the China–Bangladesh trade lane.
DHL, UPS & FedEx Fuel Surcharge Increase — March 2026 Update
All three major carriers have raised fuel surcharges significantly in March 2026, with UPS and FedEx reaching 33.25% for the week of March 7–14. Here's what shippers need to know and how to manage the impact.
Complete Guide to Shipping from China to the USA in 2025
Everything you need to know about shipping freight from China to the United States — modes, costs, timelines, and customs tips.
5 Logistics Tips Every Cross-Border E-Commerce Seller Must Know
Running an online store and shipping internationally? These five practical tips will help you cut costs, speed up delivery, and keep customers happy.
LCL vs. FCL: Which Container Shipping Option Is Right for You?
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How to Clear Customs Smoothly When Exporting from China
Customs delays are costly. Learn the essential documents and best practices for smooth export clearance from China.
Why Shenzhen Is China's Most Powerful Logistics Hub
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