Ocean Freight Under Pressure: Why Container Rates Are Rising Again
Ocean freight is one of the key pillars of global logistics. For many companies, it represents a cost-efficient way to move larger cargo volumes between Asia, Europe, North America and other global regions. At the same time, it is a market that can react very quickly to changes in demand, available capacity, operational disruptions, geopolitical risks and seasonal peaks.
In June 2026, renewed pressure on container freight rates is clearly visible. According to the latest Drewry data, the World Container Index increased by 12% to USD 3,969 per 40ft container on 18 June 2026. The increase was driven mainly by growth on the Transpacific and Asia–Europe trade routes, with the composite index reaching its highest level in 18 months.
Container rates are rising again
The development of container freight rates shows that the ocean freight market remains highly sensitive to changes in supply and demand. When booking demand increases, peak season starts earlier, capacity becomes tighter or pressure grows on major trade lanes, rates can rise significantly within a short period of time.
For customers, this means that ocean freight prices may not remain stable for longer periods. Offers may have shorter validity, vessel space can change quickly and the difference between early and late booking can be significant.
From the perspective of importers and exporters, it is therefore important to monitor not only the freight rate itself, but also transport conditions, capacity availability, planned departure, transit time, connecting road transport and documentation readiness.
Why the market changes so quickly
Ocean freight is a global system where changes on one trade lane can affect other regions. If demand increases on routes from Asia to Europe or from Asia to North America, this can influence container availability, vessel space and carriers’ pricing strategies.
Seasonality also plays an important role. Before periods of increased demand in retail, automotive, e-commerce or manufacturing, companies may increase orders and secure transport capacity in advance. This creates additional pressure on available capacity and rates can increase even before the actual peak of the season.
Operational and geopolitical risks are also important factors. Routing changes, port congestion, restrictions on certain routes, higher fuel costs or uncertainty in global trade can influence both the final freight cost and the reliability of the transport plan.
Impact on customers
For customers, the main impact is greater uncertainty in ocean freight planning. If a company waits too long before arranging transport, it may face higher rates, limited capacity or less suitable departure options.
For imports from Asia, booking should be planned with sufficient lead time. It is not enough to know only the cargo volume and required delivery date. A properly prepared shipment also requires information about cargo readiness, cut-off dates, container type, port of loading, port of discharge, customs setup and connecting inland transport.
The same principle applies to export shipments. If the cargo is linked to a specific delivery date, production plan or contractual commitment, it is necessary to work not only with the price, but also with actual vessel space availability and expected transit time.
FCL, LCL and alternative solutions
Rising rates also increase the importance of selecting the right transport mode. For larger cargo volumes, FCL transport, meaning a full container load, may be the right solution. FCL provides greater control over the shipment, simpler handling and often better planning for larger volumes.
For smaller shipments, LCL transport, meaning less than container load, may be more suitable. LCL can help optimise costs when the customer does not have enough cargo to fill a full container. However, consolidation, deconsolidation and a potentially longer or less direct process must be taken into account.
In some cases, it may also be useful to consider an alternative port, different routing, a combination of ocean and road transport or a comparison of several possible solutions. The difference is not only about price, but also about availability, speed, delay risk and additional costs.
Why price alone is not enough
The lowest ocean freight rate is not always the best decision. If an offer does not match the required timeline, does not provide reliable space, uses unsuitable routing or does not include connecting services, the final shipment may become more expensive.
Several factors influence the overall decision: freight rate, offer validity, capacity availability, cut-off, transit time, port charges, documentation, customs clearance, demurrage, detention, storage and connecting road transport. These items can have a major impact on total costs and supply chain continuity.
Customers therefore need more than just a container rate. They need a clear explanation of the conditions, risks and next steps. In ocean freight, proper planning is often just as important as the freight rate itself.
RJP Perfect’s perspective
At RJP Perfect, we see the current development of ocean freight rates as an important signal for both importers and exporters. The market can change very quickly, and companies that plan their shipments in advance have more room to compare options, secure capacity and control total costs.
Our aim is to support customers not only with ocean freight pricing, but also with selecting the right solution based on shipment type, required delivery time, cargo volume, routing and related services. For every shipment, it is important to consider not only the price, but also reliability, timing and risks across the entire transport chain.
The development of the container shipping market in June 2026 confirms that ocean logistics requires active planning and continuous market monitoring. Early booking, accurate shipment input and well-managed communication between the customer, logistics partner and overseas partners can significantly reduce the risk of additional costs and delays.
This article is based on information published by Drewry, Trading Economics and selected ocean freight market updates.