Summary
Public updates from July 27 show Far East-US ocean rates beginning to soften but still far above late-February levels, keeping surcharge and procurement discipline important. Attacks around Ukrainian ports and vessels are raising acceptance, insurance and alternate-gateway risks for Black Sea-linked cargo. In air cargo, global indices fell for a fourth straight week, while some Asia-US lanes remain firmer and new Riyadh-Melbourne and Western Sydney capacity adds options for Australia flows. Kenya's upcoming Advance Cargo Declaration requirement and new Africa project-cargo feeder/port capacity point to tighter documentation and route planning needs.
Key Updates
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FreightWaves, citing Xeneta, reported that spot rates from the Far East are beginning to soften, with weekly prices down about 1% to the US West Coast, North Europe and the Mediterranean, while US East Coast rates were flat. Since the Iran crisis began on February 28, Far East-US West Coast and East Coast prices were still up 231% and 234%, respectively. Exporters should expect some August relief, but carriers may use fuel, geopolitical risk and blank sailings to slow the decline.
Source: War sends Asia-US ocean rates soaring 234% since FebruaryThe Maritime Executive reported that a trapped cargo ship at Mykolaiv was hit and that vessels and infrastructure around Odesa, the Danube and other Black Sea-linked locations have also been attacked. The report noted that Maersk suspended container service to Chornomorsk and that other shipowners considered calls too dangerous. Cargo tied to Ukraine, the Black Sea or Danube alternatives should be reviewed for carrier acceptance, war-risk cover, delay liability and diversion options.
Source: Attacks on Ukrainian Ports and Ships IntensifyAir Cargo Week, using TAC Index and Baltic Air Freight Index data, reported that the global BAI00 fell 3.1% in the week to July 20, its fourth straight weekly decline, while remaining 17.0% higher year over year. Hong Kong, Shanghai and Korea outbound prices eased, and many Europe and US outbound lanes were softer. However, Bangkok, Vietnam, Malaysia and Korea to the US recorded gains, so shippers should renegotiate selectively rather than assume all Asia export air markets are cooling at the same pace.
Source: Airfreight Rates Continue Downward DriftAir Cargo Week reported that Saudia Cargo has started a scheduled Riyadh-Melbourne freighter route using a Boeing 747-400F with more than 100 tonnes of capacity and nose-loading capability for heavy, oversized and high-volume cargo. The service targets perishables, pharmaceuticals, industrial equipment and e-commerce flows, adding a direct Middle East-Australia air cargo option.
Source: Saudia Cargo Announces New Route Between Riyadh and MelbourneAustralian Aviation reported that Western Sydney International Airport's new Cargo Precinct has officially opened for freight. The precinct is designed for up to 1.8 million tonnes of annual cargo in the long term, with an initial capacity of about 250,000 tonnes and stands for eight 747/777 freighters or 16 narrowbody freighters. The 24-hour operation can help perishables, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce and high-value cargo, but early shipments still need flight, handling and trucking checks.
Source: Western Sydney Airport officially opens to freightPort Technology International reported Maersk's notice that the Kenya Revenue Authority will implement a new ACD platform from August 3, 2026, for all containerized imports bound for Kenyan ports. Shippers must obtain an ACD Reference Code before loading and include it on the bill of lading; non-compliance may lead to customs fines. Cargo for Kenyan ports such as Mombasa should move ACD document collection into the booking and draft B/L review stage.
Source: Maersk flags Kenya's new mandatory cargo declarationPort Technology International reported that MSC introduced the Afungi Shuttle, connecting Afungi in Mozambique with feeder links from Nacala and Maputo for LNG-related construction materials, machinery, industrial equipment and spare parts. A separate report said DP World completed major dredging at Senegal's Port of Ndayane 13 months ahead of schedule, clearing the way for further marine works. For energy and heavy-equipment shippers, Africa project corridors are moving toward more structured feeder and port capacity.
Source: MSC launches Afungi shuttle for Mozambique LNG tradeDH Logistics View
- Today's signal is a high-level split rather than a uniform rate trend. Ocean and air indices are easing in places, but geopolitical risk, fuel, rerouting and selected Asia export demand can still keep individual lanes firm.
- For China exporters, quote control should now include surcharges, insurance, carrier acceptance, destination filing and alternate gateways, not just base freight. Black Sea, Middle East, Africa project cargo and Australia time-sensitive flows need shipment-level checks.
- New air routes, 24-hour cargo precincts and Africa feeder services create additional options, but early availability is not the same as stable execution. Use them first for high-value, time-sensitive or project-scheduled cargo, with backup plans retained.
Planning Notes
- For Transpacific ocean bookings, compare base freight, PSS, bunker, war-risk, destination and inland charges separately instead of relying on one all-in price.
- For Ukraine, Black Sea, Danube or nearby transshipment cargo, confirm carrier acceptance, insurance cover, diversion authority and delay-cost responsibility before shipment.
- Use softer airfreight indices to renegotiate Asia export rates, but price Vietnam, Malaysia, Korea and Thailand to the US as separate markets.
- For Kenyan container imports, collect ACD data before loading, obtain the Reference Code and check the draft bill of lading early.
- For Middle East-Australia, Africa project cargo and energy equipment, verify aircraft or feeder capacity, out-of-gauge limits, destination lifting resources and customs documents.
Sources
View sources (8)
- War sends Asia-US ocean rates soaring 234% since FebruaryFreightWaves · 2026-07-27
- Attacks on Ukrainian Ports and Ships IntensifyThe Maritime Executive · 2026-07-27
- Airfreight Rates Continue Downward DriftAir Cargo Week · 2026-07-27
- Saudia Cargo Announces New Route Between Riyadh and MelbourneAir Cargo Week · 2026-07-27
- Western Sydney Airport officially opens to freightAustralian Aviation · 2026-07-27
- Maersk flags Kenya's new mandatory cargo declarationPort Technology International · 2026-07-27
- MSC launches Afungi shuttle for Mozambique LNG tradePort Technology International · 2026-07-27
- DP World completes Ndayane dredging 13 months earlyPort Technology International · 2026-07-27