Summary
The June 19 brief prioritizes public updates published or refreshed on the previous Asia/Shanghai calendar day. Ocean freight is seeing cautiously positive Hormuz traffic signals, but carrier normalization is likely to be phased, while sticky Asian port congestion continues to support regional rate increases. Maersk issued new PSS and ECS updates on Japan/Korea-West Africa and Indian Subcontinent-Europe/Mediterranean trades. In air cargo, Cathay Cargo is adding regional freighter capacity through Air Hong Kong, while U.S. tariff and forced-labor policy uncertainty keeps compliance risk high for importers.
Key Updates
Select a headline to expand the full update.
The Loadstar reported on June 18 that transit activity through Hormuz improved in the first half of June after a U.S.-Iran memorandum raised ceasefire expectations, with Windward Intelligence recording a stronger single-day transit count on June 15. Alphaliner cautioned, however, that carriers that suspended or rerouted Gulf calls are likely to wait for clearer safety and freedom-of-navigation assurances before normalizing. Cargo linked to the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Europe should keep alternate ports, landbridge options and time buffers in place for now.
Source: Hormuz traffic rises as US-Iran MoU sparks cautious optimismThe Loadstar reported on June 18 that early peak-season demand, congestion at major transshipment hubs and slow empty-container returns continue to support intra-Asia rates. The report cited SCFI data showing Shanghai-Southeast Asia rates up 5% from June 5 to June 12 and nearly 50% higher year on year; Drewry data also showed a clear rise in Shanghai-Singapore FEU rates since May 29. China-Southeast Asia, intra-Southeast Asia and South Asia repositioning cargo should pay close attention to cutoffs, empty equipment, destination congestion and feeder connections.
Source: Sticky port congestion drives intra-Asia freight rates higherThe Loadstar reported on June 18, citing Alphaliner, that the number of vessels above 8,000 TEUs in intra-Europe trades has increased year on year, with longer North Europe-Mediterranean services better suited to larger tonnage. The article also noted Gemini Cooperation-related reshuffling, with Maersk redeploying larger vessels to Far East-East Mediterranean loops and moving other ships into North Europe, UK and Scandinavia services. For European feeder and short-sea shippers, larger vessels may improve unit cost but can also alter calls, weekly capacity and transshipment volatility.
Source: Network restructuring cascading larger vessels onto Intra-Europe tradesMaersk announced on June 18 that it will implement a Peak Season Surcharge from Japan and South Korea to West African destinations including Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Angola and Cameroon from July 2, 2026. The surcharge applies to 20DRY, 40DRY and 45HDRY equipment at USD 200 per container. Asia-West Africa shippers should separate base ocean freight, PSS, local charges and any contingency charges in quotations instead of relying on prior all-in cost assumptions.
Source: Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) from Japan & South Korea to West Africa (WAF)Maersk issued an Emergency Contingency Surcharge update on June 18 for Indian Subcontinent to North Europe and Mediterranean trades, effective from price calculation date July 1, 2026. The tables show North West India and Pakistan to North Europe 20/40-foot dry container ECS rising from USD 700 to USD 1,700, while Bangladesh to North Europe rises to USD 2,500/2,800 for 20/40-foot dry containers; several Mediterranean lanes show similar increases. Exporters from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan should recheck vessel departure dates, PCD and surcharge applicability before month-end.
Source: Change to Emergency Contingency Surcharge Indian Subcontinent to North Europe & Mediterranean (E3W & E4W)Cathay Pacific said on June 18 that Air Hong Kong has signed a long-term lease for one Airbus A330P2F converted freighter, expected to join the fleet in the fourth quarter of 2026. The aircraft will mainly operate Mainland China and regional freighter services for Cathay Cargo, complementing future A350F capacity and supporting opportunities from Hong Kong International Airport's three-runway system. For Hong Kong, South China and intra-Asia air cargo customers, stronger regional freighter capacity should support frequent, time-sensitive and cross-border transshipment flows.
Source: Cathay Cargo adds an Airbus A330 freighter from Air Hong Kong to support further growthFreightWaves reported on June 18 that Flexport trade experts expect potential U.S. tariff and compliance changes this summer, including proposed Section 301 tariffs tied to forced-labor enforcement, Section 232 metal-duty adjustments, uncertainty around USMCA negotiations and litigation over IEEPA tariff refunds. Some proposals still face comment and hearing processes, but importers already need scenarios for duty rates, origin qualification, exclusions and refunds. Exporters to the U.S. should prepare HS classifications, origin support, supply-chain labor-compliance documents and importer records in advance.
Source: Flexport: New tariff wave could replace expiring trade duties by late JulyDH Logistics View
- Today's ocean risk is not a simple restored or not-restored story. Better Hormuz traffic can improve sentiment, but carrier route decisions still depend on safety, insurance, ports and fleet scheduling.
- Intra-Asia congestion and surcharge increases are moving together, showing that peak pressure is spreading from mainline trades into feeders, transshipment hubs and regional lanes. Shippers need to put waiting time, empty returns and PSS/ECS into one cost view.
- Additional regional freighter capacity is positive for air cargo, but it improves medium-term network resilience rather than making every short-term lane loose. High-value, urgent and cross-border cargo should still book early.
- U.S. tariff and forced-labor compliance issues show that freight planning cannot stop at space and price. Documents, origin, supply-chain proof and importer filing capability can directly change landed cost and clearance risk.
Planning Notes
- For Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Europe-linked cargo, keep alternate routings, landbridge options or transshipment plans and avoid compressing lead times on the assumption of full normalization.
- For intra-Asia bookings, confirm transshipment congestion, empty equipment, cutoffs and destination pickup appointments early, especially on China-Southeast Asia and intra-Southeast Asia moves.
- For India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan to Europe shipments, recheck Maersk ECS price calculation dates, effective dates and equipment applicability before the end of June.
- For Japan/Korea-West Africa cargo, include the July 2 PSS in quotations and show base freight, local charges and temporary surcharges separately.
- For Hong Kong, South China and intra-Asia air cargo, monitor Air Hong Kong's new A330P2F capacity, but still submit dimensions, weight and delivery windows early for peak cargo.
- For U.S.-bound exports, prepare HS codes, origin support, supply-chain labor-compliance materials and importer records for potential tariff or forced-labor reviews.
- Add surcharge review points to both long-term contracts and spot quotes so PSS, ECS and contingency charges do not change landed costs after booking.
Sources
View sources (7)
- Hormuz traffic rises as US-Iran MoU sparks cautious optimismThe Loadstar · 2026-06-18
- Sticky port congestion drives intra-Asia freight rates higherThe Loadstar · 2026-06-18
- Network restructuring cascading larger vessels onto Intra-Europe tradesThe Loadstar · 2026-06-18
- Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) from Japan & South Korea to West Africa (WAF)Maersk · 2026-06-18
- Change to Emergency Contingency Surcharge Indian Subcontinent to North Europe & Mediterranean (E3W & E4W)Maersk · 2026-06-18
- Cathay Cargo adds an Airbus A330 freighter from Air Hong Kong to support further growthCathay Pacific · 2026-06-18
- Flexport: New tariff wave could replace expiring trade duties by late JulyFreightWaves · 2026-06-18