CARGOCONNECT-JUNE2026 - Flipbook - Page 94
Global Container freight rates climb as peak
season demand and risks intensify
A
ccording to the latest data
from Drewry, the World
Container Index (WCI)
rose 6% to US$2,712 per 40-ft
container. The sharpest gains
were recorded on Asia-Europe
trade lanes, with Shanghai-toRotterdam spot rates surging
15% to US$2,773 per FEU, while
Shanghai-to-Genoa rates climbed
10% to US$4,082 per FEU.
Drewry attributed the market
momentum to an earlier-thanusual peak shipping season,
昀椀rmer Freight All Kinds (FAK)
pricing and continued capacity
management measures by ocean
carriers. On transpaci昀椀c routes,
rates also moved upward, with
Shanghai-to-New York pricing
increasing 2% to US$4,317 per
FEU and Shanghai-to-Los Ange-
les rates rising 1% to US$3,385
per FEU. Shipping lines are
additionally implementing new
surcharges to support pricing
levels. ONE has announced a
Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) of
US$2,000 per FEU on eastbound
transpaci昀椀c cargo e昀昀ective June
01, while CMA CGM has increased
FAK rates on Asia-Europe and
Mediterranean services.
Riyadh Cargo appoints GSSA partners across
Egypt, India, and UAE
R
iyadh Cargo, the cargo division of Riyadh
Air has appointed new General Sales and
Service Agent (GSSA) partners in Egypt,
India, and the UAE, advancing its global expansion
aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. Air Logistics Group
India will cover India, Cargo Partners (dnata Cargo)
the UAE, and M&C Aviation Egypt, providing
local representation and operational expertise
across key trade corridors linking Asia, Africa,
Europe, and the Middle East. These appointments
complement Riyadh Cargo’s existing network,
including partners in UAE, UK, Pakistan, Sri
Lanka, Bangladesh, and Manchester, enhancing
cargo connectivity, o昀툀ine sales, and sector focus
on e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, and perishables.
Hapag-Lloyd deepens West Africa push with
Benin expansion and PSS
H
apag-Lloyd has strengthened its West Africa
strategy with the launch
of a new o昀케ce in Cotonou alongside the introduction of fresh
Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) on
shipments from Asia and Oceania
to multiple West African destinations. The new Cotonou o昀케ce
marks a signi昀椀cant expansion of
the carrier’s regional footprint
under its Strategy 2030 growth
94 | CARGOCONNECT JUNE 2026
roadmap. Benin, particularly the
Port of Cotonou has emerged
as a key logistics hub serving
both domestic cargo demand
and neighbouring landlocked
markets such as Niger and
Burkina Faso. Alongside expansion, the carrier has announced
new PSS, covering cargo movements from Asia and Oceania
to ports including Tema, Lomé,
Abidjan, Cotonou, Apapa, Tincan
Island and Onne. The revised
surcharge structure reflects
continued demand pressures
and operational dynamics across
the trade lane.
Abu Dhabi Airport
expands cargo
network to Northern
Thailand with K-Mile
Air link
bu Dhabi Airport has launched
AThailand’s
direct freighter services with
K-Mile Air, creating
the first dedicated cargo link
between Abu Dhabi and northern
Thailand. The five weekly Boeing
767 flights connect Zayed International Airport with Chiang Mai
and Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai
airports, expanding Abu Dhabi’s
freighter network to 36 destinations. The expansion aligns with
Abu Dhabi’s broader economic
diversification strategy and
complements ongoing investments in logistics infrastructure,
free zones, and industrial corridors such as KEZAD. Stronger
air cargo connectivity with
Southeast Asia could enhance
trade flows in electronics,
perishables, automotive parts,
and e-commerce shipments.
London Gatwick
strengthens air
cargo strategy with
World Cargo Centre
acquisition
Gatwick Airport has
LWorldondon
acquired control of the
Cargo Centre, reinforcing
its long-term cargo growth
strategy and strengthening
freight resilience across the
South East logistics network.
Located adjacent to the airfield,
the 1,747 sq mt cargo facility
plays a critical role in facilitating
cargo movement through the
airport, particularly for freight
transported in the bellyhold of
long-haul passenger aircraft
serving key trade markets across
Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
The acquisition brings one of
Gatwick’s most strategically
important cargo assets fully
under airport management,
enabling closer operational integration while supporting future
infrastructure development
linked to the airport’s Northern
Runway expansion programme.
