Maersk has cautioned that trade and logistics flows across India, the Middle East and Africa remain unsettled by geopolitical uncertainty and disruptions to maritime corridors, even as it resumes limited transits through the Suez Canal. The carrier warned that customers should plan for variable lead times and reduced schedule predictability in the near term.

Maersk pointed to several factors weighing on regional supply chains. In a recent statement, the company said that "uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz, variable vessel waiting times and high yard density at several regional ports continue to affect predictability."



The carrier said it is adapting by reconfiguring its networks, deploying alternative gateways, expanding multimodal routing, sharpening capacity planning and increasing operational monitoring. Despite these measures, Maersk advised shippers to build in flexibility.



"Customers should continue to plan for variable lead times, provide early visibility of anticipated volumes, maintain routing flexibility and engage their Maersk representatives on the most suitable options as conditions evolve," the company said.



Maersk confirmed it has recently begun transiting the Suez Canal on its AE15, MECL and WAF6 services. The company framed the move as conditional rather than a wholesale shift back to the corridor that has served as a primary East¡VWest artery.



"Additional trans-Suez sailings may be considered if security thresholds continue to be met," the statement noted. "However, this would not represent a full return of the East¡VWest network to the trans-Suez corridor."



Saudi Arabia's western gateways, particularly Jeddah and King Abdullah Port, remain central to Maersk's regional operations, handling domestic cargo alongside rising volumes moving to the wider Gulf through multimodal solutions. Sustained throughput and ongoing network adjustments, however, are straining terminal yards, container depots, customs operations and trucking capacity, the company said.



"Customers may experience longer lead times, slower equipment turnaround and reduced schedule predictability, which could lead to increased costs across inland transport and security-related operations," Maersk warned. It added that "conditions are expected to remain operationally challenging in the near term, with continued pressure on western ports and the supporting logistics infrastructure."



For cargo owners weighing cost, reliability and visibility, the guidance underscores a period in which early volume forecasting, routing flexibility and close carrier coordination will remain essential to protecting delivery commitments.

Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd. (OOCL), one of the world's leading integrated international container transportation and logistics companies, held the naming ceremony for OOCL Grace, the second methanol dual-fuel container vessel in its newbuilding programme. The event marks another step forward in the company's sustained drive to build a modern, green and reliable global fleet.

The ceremony took place at the shipyard of Nantong COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co., Ltd. ("NACKS"). Ms. Annetta Duan, Global Logistics Director of Hayco Group, named OOCL Grace and bestowed her blessings upon the vessel before an audience of invited guests.



OOCL Grace is the second of seven 24,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel container vessels being built by NACKS for OOCL. The series currently ranks among the largest methanol dual-fuel vessels in the world, combining substantial capacity with the flexibility to operate on green methanol as well as conventional fuel ¡X a configuration designed to reduce emissions while safeguarding schedule reliability across long-haul trade lanes.



The naming of OOCL Grace follows a series of milestones achieved in quick succession. The first vessel in the series, OOCL Wisdom, was named in May, completed its first green methanol bunkering, and commenced its maiden voyage to Europe in July. With OOCL Grace now entering the fleet, the programme continues to move from construction to deployment on a steady, structured timeline, reinforcing the capacity and dependability that cargo owners rely on to meet critical delivery commitments.



For shippers managing high shipment volumes across global markets, the addition of large, dual-fuel tonnage strengthens both service reliability and long-term sustainability. Greater vessel capacity supports efficient route utilisation and stable schedules, while dual-fuel technology positions OOCL to meet tightening environmental regulations without compromising transit dependability.



At the naming ceremony, Mr. Peter Pan, Director of Trades and Member of the Executive Committee of OOCL, said: "In a complex and ever-changing market environment, OOCL remains firmly committed to advancing the expansion, greening and digitalization of our fleet. With the successive delivery of OOCL Grace and her sister vessels, we will continue to optimize our capacity deployment and network configuration, providing customers with higher-quality, more stable and sustainable logistics solutions, while playing an important role in connecting industries, markets and global trade."



With OOCL Grace and five further sister vessels still to enter service, OOCL continues to advance a fleet renewal strategy built on scale, sustainability and dependable service ¡X reinforcing its role in connecting industries and markets across the global trade network.

Air cargo volumes from mainland China and Hong Kong to Europe recorded their first week-on-week increase since early June, an early sign that the market may be finding a floor after weeks of decline triggered by the European Union's removal of its low-value import exemption. According to WorldACD Market Data, chargeable weight on the China and Hong Kong to Europe lane rose 1% in week 34, covering 17 to 23 August, against the previous week.

The turnaround gives freight forwarders on Asia-Europe trades a first data point suggesting demand is stabilizing, though at levels well below a year ago. WorldACD noted the increase could mark the bottom of the recent slide, while cautioning that it remains too early to confirm a sustained recovery.



The declines followed the EU's decision to end its de minimis exemption for low-value imports on 1 July, a regulatory shift that raised costs and added customs complexity for e-commerce shipments entering the bloc. For forwarders managing high-volume, low-value flows from Chinese platforms, the change reset a new baseline for clearance work and duty exposure.



Volumes remain depressed on a year-on-year basis. Mainland China-to-Europe tonnage was down 8% compared with the same week in 2025, while Hong Kong-to-Europe traffic fell 33%. The steeper Hong Kong drop reflects the market's heavy reliance on e-commerce cargo that has built up over recent years.



The trend lines diverged in week 34. The year-on-year decline for Hong Kong to Europe narrowed slightly, from 35% in week 33 to 33%, while the gap for mainland China to Europe widened from 5% to 8%. WorldACD said a return of demand after the summer holiday period could support volumes, potentially leaving the market at a lower but more stable level.



Total Asia Pacific-to-Europe volumes increased 3% week on week in week 34, driven by a sharp recovery in Japanese traffic. Shipments from Japan surged 88% following the Obon holiday period of 13 to 16 August, which had suppressed activity. The market had also absorbed disruption from tropical storm Chan-Hom, which forced dozens of flight cancellations at Tokyo's Haneda and Narita airports.



Across the wider region, total volumes originating in Asia Pacific rose 7% week on week, reversing a decline of about 5% the previous week. Volumes stood 4% above the corresponding week last year, with more than half of the weekly gain attributed to the Japanese rebound.



Middle East and South Asia (MESA) origins recovered as well, with volumes up 4% week on week and 7% higher year on year. The region continues to face disruption to capacity and air traffic linked to the US-Iran confrontation.



MESA-to-Europe volumes rose 3% during the week, led by a 5% increase from India, with shipments from Dubai and Bangladesh both up 6%. MESA to US traffic moved the other way, falling 1% week on week, largely because volumes from Dubai dropped 15%.



Asia-Pacific-to-US volumes were broadly flat in week 34. A 33% jump in Japanese shipments offset declines elsewhere, including a 3% fall from mainland China and a 2% dip from Hong Kong. Both Chinese and Hong Kong flow to the US nevertheless remained well above year-earlier levels.



Mainland China to US volumes were 11% higher year on year, down from a 14% increase in week 33, while Hong Kong to US traffic rose 9%, up from 6% the prior week. WorldACD said year-on-year US comparisons remain difficult due to changes in import tariffs and the removal of de minimis exemptions. The US ended the exemption for Chinese and Hong Kong goods in May and extended the change to other markets in August.



Gains from Asia Pacific and MESA were partly offset by declines in Europe and North America, where volumes fell by 4% and 2%, respectively. Global air cargo volumes rose 2% week on week and were 5% higher year on year.



Global air cargo rates held broadly steady at $2.98 per kg in week 34, according to WorldACD. The average, which combines spot and contract rates, has stayed near that level for five consecutive weeks and was 22% higher than a year earlier. Worldwide spot rates edged up 1% to $3.36 per kg, leaving them 28% above last year.



The largest annual spot-rate increase came from North American origins, up 51%, followed by MESA at 42% and Europe at 27%. Asia Pacific origins rose 22% year on year.



China-Europe spot rates have begun to recover after their post-de minimis slide. Mainland China to Europe spot rates fell for six consecutive weeks from mid-June to end-July, dropping from a 2026 peak of $5.43 per kg in week 25 to $3.79 in week 31, a decline of about 30%. Rates have since risen for three straight weeks, reaching $4.14 per kg in week 34 as airlines adjusted capacity to lower demand. That level remains about 24% below the mid-June peak but 13% higher than a year earlier.



Hong Kong to Europe spot rates followed a similar path, falling from a 2026 high of $5.80 per kg in week 25 to $4.90 in week 31, a 16% decline. After a modest recovery in weeks 32 and 33, rates were broadly flat in week 34 at $4.91 per kg, only 5% above the same week last year.



Across the broader Asia Pacific to Europe market, average spot rates held at $4.42 per kg, 15% higher year on year. Rates from high-tech export markets stayed strong: South Korea and Taiwan were both up 25%, Vietnam rose 22%, and Thailand and Malaysia climbed 32% and 42% respectively. Asia Pacific to US spot rates were relatively stable at $6.36 per kg, 32% above a year earlier. China-US and Hong Kong-US rates stood at $6.18 and $6.42 per kg respectively, both below their 2026 peaks as carriers adjust to shifting trade and e-commerce patterns.



Worldwide air cargo capacity was broadly stable in week 34, rising about 1% after falling 1% in each of the previous two weeks. Asia Pacific recorded the largest weekly gain, with capacity up 3% following two weeks of similar declines. MESA capacity rose 1%, extending a 2% increase the prior week.



Despite disruption in parts of the Middle East, global capacity in week 34 stood almost 3% above its level in week seven, before the US and Israeli strikes on Iran began. Capacity from Europe and North America has grown significantly over that period. MESA capacity, however, remained about 11% below its pre-conflict level, and Gulf-region capacity was 17% lower.



The week 34 data indicate an air cargo market adjusting to a period of sustained disruption, with revised e-commerce rules, shifting trade patterns, and geopolitical tension continuing to shape both demand and airline capacity. For freight forwarders, the emerging picture is one of a lower but steadier China-Europe market - a base from which to recalibrate routing, capacity commitments, and customs strategy for the months ahead.

Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd. (ONE), has announced an update to its Europe Environment Surcharge (EES), extending its scope to cover United Kingdom Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) obligations and confirming the applicable tariff for the fourth quarter of 2026.

The EES was implemented on January 1, 2025, to align ONE's operations with evolving environmental regulatory standards across European trades. Since its introduction, the surcharge has provided a transparent mechanism for allocating carbon compliance costs, giving cargo owners clear visibility into the regulatory components that shape their freight expenses.



Effective July 1, 2026, ONE commenced the mandatory surrender of United Kingdom Allowances (UKAs) for 100 percent of its verified greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions falling within the regulatory scope of the newly expanded UK ETS. As a result, EES coverage now applies to all cargo moving into and out of the United Kingdom.



To streamline billing and maintain transparency, the existing EES has been adjusted to incorporate the UK ETS portion alongside the current EU ETS and Fuel EU Maritime cost components. This consolidation gives shippers a single, coherent surcharge line that reflects the full range of applicable carbon compliance obligations rather than a series of separate charges.



The update coincides with a significant shift in European carbon regulation. Starting January 1, 2026, the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) entered its full compliance phase. The mandatory surrender of European Union Allowances (EUAs) expanded from 70 percent of verified emissions in 2025 to 100 percent within the regulatory scope.



This expansion also broadens the range of emissions that must be accounted for. Emissions reporting now includes two additional potent greenhouse gases ¡X methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2?O) ¡X alongside carbon dioxide. For cargo owners, the change underscores the growing financial burden of maritime carbon compliance and the value of a surcharge structure that precisely isolates these costs.



ONE has confirmed the applicable EES tariff for the period from October 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026. In keeping with the company's commitment to regulatory compliance and cost transparency, EES tariffs are reviewed quarterly and remain subject to change with prior notice. Specific tariff details for the upcoming quarter are published alongside this announcement.



The surcharge continues to apply to all contracts. One exception applies: export cargo from China is not subject to the EES surcharge. For those shipments, the EES portion is incorporated and considered as part of the freight rate.



ONE remains fully compliant with, and strongly supportive of, the latest regulatory requirements aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By consolidating UK ETS, EU ETS, and Fuel EU Maritime costs into a single, clearly defined surcharge, the company reinforces its dual commitment to environmental responsibility and the cost clarity that cargo owners depend on to plan with confidence.