Daily International Freight News Brief: Peak Surcharges, Port Capacity, and Split Air Cargo Demand

Container News and Maersk's own advisory show that Maersk will revise ECS levels from Oceania to the Middle East from August 1. For Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar, UAE, and selected Saudi destinations, the levels are US$900 for 20ft dry, US$1,500 for 40ft/45ft dry, US$950 for 20ft reefer, and US$1,900 for 40ft high-cube reefer. Higher levels remain in place for Middle East Red Sea destinations including Jordan, Jeddah, and King Abdullah. Cargo tied to the Middle East should continue to model war risk, rerouting, reefer exposure, and destination restrictions.

Container News reported on July 17 that MSC released new FAK rates from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh to Europe, effective August 1 and valid no later than August 31. India and Pakistan to Antwerp range from US$4,650 to US$4,950 per container, while Valencia ranges from US$4,750 to US$5,050. Colombo to Antwerp and Valencia is US$3,050 for 20ft and US$3,350 for 40ft/high-cube, while Chattogram 40ft/high-cube is US$3,850. The rates include some risk and emissions-related charges, but bunker, EU ETS, FuelEU, terminal, and local charges remain separate.

Splash247 reported on July 18 that PD Ports has added a 390-tonne Konecranes Gottwald mobile harbour crane at the Port of Hartlepool. The unit has a maximum lifting capacity of 125 tonnes and a working radius of up to 49 metres. It will support bulk, breakbulk, offshore energy components, and specialist project cargo. For wind, manufacturing, chemicals, metals, and oversize cargo shippers, improved regional port capability can reduce detours and inland heavy-haul pressure, but lifting windows, securing plans, storage, and onward transport still need early confirmation.

Drewry's July 16 weekly assessment put the World Container Index at US$4,547 per 40ft, down 2% and ending ten weeks of increases. Shanghai-Los Angeles fell 3% to US$6,272, Shanghai-New York was steady at US$7,879, Shanghai-Genoa fell 3% to US$6,300, and Shanghai-Rotterdam fell 1% to US$4,873. Drewry noted that front-loading pressure is easing, while blank sailings and geopolitical risk continue to support prices. For shippers, the correction is a re-quotation window, not a reason to delay all bookings. Cargo should be segmented by deadline and space scarcity.

Flexport's July 16 update said North China airfreight demand contracted on China-U.S. and China-Europe lanes, led by e-commerce volume declines. Hong Kong-Europe tonnage fell 12% week on week for June 29 to July 5. Taiwan-Europe tonnage, however, rose about 20% over the prior three weeks, driven by AI-related computer equipment, while India-U.S. time-sensitive cargo remains tight because vessel-processing backlogs at major U.S. ports are pushing some shippers to air. Exporters should split air strategy by cargo value and urgency: reserve early for AI, semiconductor, precision, and stockout-sensitive cargo, while watching softer lanes for tactical booking windows.

SupplyChainBrain reported on July 18 that LeadCoverage sees the 2026 U.S. trucking improvement as driven less by broad demand recovery and more by trucks leaving the market, with enforcement further tightening supply. The article noted high spot rates and tender rejections at their highest level since 2022, while demand remains concentrated in industrial freight. For international freight, the port-to-warehouse leg should not be treated as a fixed low-risk cost. During U.S. import peaks, high port throughput and destination congestion can make drayage, chassis, appointments, and free-time terms decisive.