Knowledge Hub
Sourced updates on freight-market conditions to help importers and exporters plan ahead.
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd's Gemini Cooperation made a second attempt (July 6, 2026) to resume Suez Canal transit on their Asia–Mediterranean–Turkey service, after a first February 2026 attempt was suspended following US-Iran hostilities. Industry data through August 20, 2026 shows a real but partial recovery: nearly 1,090 Suez Canal transits over the prior four weeks, the highest since January 2024, still 41% below pre-crisis levels. Maersk reports over 30% of Asia-Europe volume previously diverted around the Cape of Good Hope has returned to Suez, and MSC has increased Bab el Mandeb crossings. Security risk remains elevated, however — Lloyd's List Intelligence's August 20, 2026 brief documents a recent cargo vessel declared a constructive total loss and hijackings in the Gulf of Aden, and states weekly fluctuations are still too significant for a definitive stability call. Crude tanker operators continue to avoid Saudi Red Sea port calls even as container lines return.
Published: 2026-08-27
Drewry's World Container Index composite reached $4,526 per 40ft container as of August 20, 2026, up 4% week-on-week — the second consecutive weekly increase (the August 13 reading was $4,339, up 1%). Shanghai–New York and Shanghai–Los Angeles rates each rose 9%, to $9,507 and $6,802 per 40ft respectively. Drewry attributes the increase to resilient Transpacific demand combined with carriers managing capacity through blank sailings.
US imports from Thailand currently carry a 12.5% tariff under Section 301, effective July 24, 2026, replacing the 10% Section 122 tariff (itself a 150-day emergency measure that took over after the US Supreme Court struck down the administration's IEEPA tariff authority on February 20, 2026, ending the earlier 36% IEEPA rate). About 61.6% of Thai exports to the US (roughly $56.2 billion of $91.255 billion in 2025 exports) are exempt, either listed under Annex II Part A or already covered by existing Section 232 duties (car tires, truck tires, machinery). Separately, a new Section 301 investigation into Thailand — public comments closed July 15, 2026, with a decision point on July 24, 2026 — is examining forced-labor practices in fisheries/seafood and suspected transshipment/excess-capacity issues in electronics, steel, rubber, and auto parts, with combined tariffs reportedly reaching up to 25% for named sectors if action is taken.
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