Summary
This brief is published for September 6, 2026 in Asia/Shanghai and prioritizes information published or updated on September 5; because weekend freight publishing was lighter, it also includes September 3-4 official and index updates that directly affect booking, cost and compliance planning. In ocean freight, Far East to U.S. East Coast spot rates are close to the COVID-era peak while Far East to Europe rates are falling, so procurement decisions must be split by lane. China port congestion, Panama Canal slot and draft changes, and unresolved IMO decarbonisation rules can all affect September schedules, surcharges and low-carbon contract language. In air freight, Singapore's cargo SAF levy deferment gives forwarders and shippers more preparation time, while IATA's July data shows air cargo demand is still growing.
Key Updates
Select a headline to expand the full update.
The Panama Canal Authority issued Advisory A-33-2026 on September 4, postponing the planned October 1 reduction in maximum authorized Neopanamax draft to 47.5 ft and keeping 48 ft in effect until further notice. Earlier Advisory A-29-2026 said low rainfall and inflows would reduce daily booking slots to 34 from September 4 booking dates and 32 from September 15, with nine daily Neopanamax slots. For services linked to the U.S. East Coast, South America and the Caribbean, the draft relief does not mean full capacity is back; booking windows, auction costs and diversion options still need to be checked.
Source: A-33-2026 Postponement of Maximum Authorized Draft Adjustment in the Neopanamax LocksHellenic Shipping News, citing ICIS, reported on September 5 that typhoon season, export peaks and rerouting factors have pushed waiting times at Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian and Nansha as high as 10 days, with some ships expecting one to two weeks of departure delay. The report also cited Linerlytica's August 25 market pulse showing more than 4.3m TEU of global containership capacity waiting to berth. Shippers should treat cutoffs, rollovers, destination connections and inland delivery as a linked risk chain rather than only tracking sailing dates.
Source: China faces prolonged port congestions amid typhoons, Mideast warXeneta's September 4 market update showed Far East to U.S. East Coast spot rates at $10,910 per FEU on September 3, only 14% below the January 2022 COVID peak and about 9% above the 2024 Red Sea crisis peak. The same update showed global schedule reliability falling for a third straight month to 29.4% in August, with Far East-Europe and Far East-North America services hit by Asia's typhoon season. For exporters, high rates do not equal stable service; North America cargo needs protected space, schedule buffers and destination inland resources.
Source: XENETA WEEKLY OCEAN CONTAINER SHIPPING MARKET UPDATE - 04.09.26International Ship Network reported on August 31 that, based on Shanghai Shipping Exchange data from August 28, the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index rose 99.91 points to 3,509.54 for a fifth consecutive weekly gain. Far East-U.S. West Coast rates rose $175 to $6,940 per FEU and Far East-U.S. East Coast rates rose $346 to $10,046 per FEU, while Europe and Mediterranean rates continued to fall. The report linked the U.S. rebound to capacity management, Panama Canal restrictions and diversion costs. September quotes should split U.S., Europe and intra-Asia lanes rather than relying on one composite signal.
Source: SCFI五连涨重返3500点！美东线运价突破1万美元Hellenic Shipping News reported on September 5 that the IMO's 22nd intersessional GHG working group met in London on September 1-4 to discuss the Net-Zero Framework, with proposals from Liberia, Panama, Brazil and a four-country group of Australia, Canada, South Africa and the UK still under discussion. The disputes include whether to retain GHG pricing, how to set fuel-intensity targets, and how to account for LNG, liquefied biomethane and methanol lifecycle emissions. Long-term ocean contracts and customer ESG reporting should leave room for surcharge, low-carbon fuel and emissions-attribute adjustments.
Source: The Week in Alt Fuels: IMO talks resume amid policy divideCAAS announced on September 3 that the air cargo SAF Levy will be deferred by one year and apply to services sold from October 1, 2027 for flights departing Singapore from January 1, 2028. CAAS said cargo involves airlines, express companies, forwarders, shippers and varied commercial arrangements, requiring more time to build the collection mechanism; SAFCo plans an SAF procurement RFP by end-2026, with the first batch expected in mid-2027. High-value air cargo and transshipment cargo through Singapore should prepare cost-sharing and Scope 3 attribute treatment early.
Source: CAAS to Start Sustainable Aviation Fuel Levy for Origin-Destination Passengers, General and Business Aviation Flights from 1 October 2026 for Flights Departing from 1 January 2027IATA's August 31 July market release showed global CTKs up 3.9% year on year and international demand up 4.7%, while ACTK capacity rose 1.7%. Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America accounted for more than 90% of the total increase, and dedicated freighters gained market share. IATA also flagged fuel prices, geopolitics and tariff uncertainty as risks. Exporters facing September peak season and ocean delays should predefine airfreight-capable SKUs, sea-air options and emergency replenishment triggers.
Source: Air Cargo Demand Grows 3.9% in JulyHong Kong's Secretary for Transport and Logistics wrote on September 5 that Hong Kong International Airport has again been rated by Airports Council International as the world's busiest cargo airport for the 15th time, and highlighted HAECO's role in maintaining an average of 330 aircraft per year, including long-haul widebody aircraft and logistics customers. This is not a single rate update, but it matters for shippers because air cargo capacity depends on fleet availability, maintenance, spares and airport service depth as well as flight networks. High-value cargo routed through Hong Kong should track peak-season space and operational stability.
Source: 本港飛機維修 全球數一數二香港品牌DH Logistics View
- Today's common signal is that September freight risk is not a single price issue, but a stack of usable corridors, predictable schedules, inland resources and green-policy costs. The Panama Canal draft postponement provides some short-term relief, but slot limits still affect booking priority; China port congestion and high trans-Pacific rates mean shippers need earlier lane, gateway and delivery commitments.
- DH Logistics recommends splitting near-term shipments by destination and corridor. North America cargo should focus on reliability, port waiting time and drayage or rail follow-on resources; Europe cargo should use the Asia-Europe price pullback while still accounting for Asia-side congestion; air cargo through Singapore or under strong carbon-reporting expectations should confirm SAF and emissions-attribute billing; cargo tied to the U.S. East Coast, Caribbean and South America should include Panama Canal booking and diversion scenarios in delivery plans.
Planning Notes
- For cargo using the Panama Canal, confirm whether the carrier has secured booking slots and who bears auction or diversion costs.
- For North America ocean quotes, check destination drayage, rail connections and free time alongside vessel space.
- For Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian and Nansha exports, reserve buffers for cutoffs, rollovers and alternate gateways.
- For Asia-Europe cargo, negotiate in batches while reflecting blank sailings and Asia-side congestion in ETAs.
- For Intra-Asia cargo, avoid late bookings near cutoffs while regional rates are moving.
- For long-term ocean contracts, keep adjustment clauses for low-carbon fuels, EU ETS or IMO mechanisms and emissions attributes.
- For Singapore-origin or transshipment air cargo, clarify SAF levy treatment, Scope 3 attributes and customer invoice presentation.
- For high-value air cargo via Hong Kong, monitor flight availability, maintenance support and peak-season space.
- For high-value or shortage-recovery orders, define sea-to-air, sea-air and split-shipment triggers before disruption hits.
Sources
View sources (8)
- International · Official institutionA-33-2026 Postponement of Maximum Authorized Draft Adjustment in the Neopanamax LocksPanama Canal Authority · 2026-09-04
- China · Industry mediaChina faces prolonged port congestions amid typhoons, Mideast warHellenic Shipping News Worldwide · 2026-09-05
- International · Research institutionXENETA WEEKLY OCEAN CONTAINER SHIPPING MARKET UPDATE - 04.09.26Xeneta · 2026-09-04
- China · Industry mediaSCFI五连涨重返3500点！美东线运价突破1万美元国际船舶网 · 2026-08-31
- China · Industry mediaThe Week in Alt Fuels: IMO talks resume amid policy divideHellenic Shipping News Worldwide · 2026-09-05
- International · Official institutionCAAS to Start Sustainable Aviation Fuel Levy for Origin-Destination Passengers, General and Business Aviation Flights from 1 October 2026 for Flights Departing from 1 January 2027Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore · 2026-09-03
- International · Industry associationAir Cargo Demand Grows 3.9% in JulyIATA · 2026-08-31
- China · Official institution本港飛機維修 全球數一數二香港品牌香港运输及物流局 · 2026-09-05