Zencargo Market Update: 11 August 2026

Ocean

Typhoon Dolphin is now confirmed as the third and strongest typhoon to hit China in five weeks, with North Asia accounting for the large majority of all port congestion currently being tracked globally, with significant disruption to operations in Ningbo and Shanghai, and tracking north towards Qingdao.

• Demand remains healthy but has softened over the past four weeks, consistent with the recent peak having now passed. Carriers continue to adjust FAK rates accordingly.
• August rates for the first half of the month settled at a lower level than July, continuing the downward trend. Full visibility on second-half August rates is not yet available, though early indications point to a further, more modest decrease on top of the first-half reduction.
• Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) remain in place for now.
• Market capacity remains tight through August, unchanged from previous weeks. Space on named accounts (NACs) and long-term (LT) contracts continues to be strictly controlled and largely full. Full allocation is still not being released on CMA, HMM, or YML, or is only available against a full FAK cargo mix. CMA bookings remain full up to four weeks ahead, with FAK space full two to three weeks out.
• Equipment availability remains a persistent issue with CMA, who continue to struggle with allocation.
• Weather is affecting Ningbo-Zhoushan port operations on top of pre-existing congestion at Shanghai, where delays and elevated yard density were already being reported. Weekend closures included a halt to empty and laden container handling across the major Ningbo terminals (Beilun 1/2/3, Daxie, Meishan, Yongzhou, Zhenhai), a full suspension at Jinyang Terminal, and a suspension of pilotage, halting all vessel arrivals and departures during the peak of the storm.
• As the typhoon weakens, terminals across Ningbo-Zhoushan (Beilun No.1, No.2, No.3, Meidong, Daxie, Yongzhou) are resuming laden container gate-in and pick-up.
• Once terminals fully reopen, recovery is expected to take several days as ports work through a backlog of waiting vessels and accumulated containers. Shippers should anticipate delayed vessel departures, longer transit times, and revised arrival schedules over the coming one to two weeks.

Air

Central China (SHA/NGB)

• SHA: Export rates to the UK are being quoted on a case-by-case basis this week.
• NGB: Import rates have held steady versus last week. Bookings and rate validations continue to require direct case-by-case verification.

North China (DLC/TSN/TAO/PEK)

• TSN: Market capacity remains tight while rates hold stable. Certain carriers are offering lower rates to London Heathrow (LHR) in exchange for longer transit times, while others can provide earlier departure dates. Space requires a 4–5 day booking lead time, and rates with select carriers are expected to remain at an elevated level going forward.
• DLC/PEK: Rates increased across most major airlines this week. Dense cargo can access spot pricing, while high-volume cargo requires a 6–7 day booking lead time and must accept flight splitting. Rates across all carriers are expected to hold at a higher level, with space and pricing to be confirmed case by case.
• TAO: The market to Europe is stable this week, with space not constrained across most European airports and departures tracking around mid-August. Rates to main airports have softened slightly, though carriers continue to release spot pricing for dense or high-volume cargo. Space to Europe is expected to remain open, with rates and space to be checked case by case.

South China (CAN/SZX/XMN)

• CAN: High temperatures are creating loading limits this week, which may affect scheduling for high-density shipments. Spot rates remain variable and must be confirmed case by case against the actual flight date.
• SZX: The market is moving into the summer holiday period, with carriers lowering rates to Europe across the board. All shipments must be validated with the carrier case by case, with deferred service options available to main European hubs. Little change is expected in the week ahead, with quoting remaining case by case.
• XMN: Rates are being quoted on a strict case-by-case basis. Little change is expected next week.

Ocean

• The rate increase implemented at the start of August has held successfully and is expected to remain in place, with the possibility of a further increase for the second half of the month.
• FAK levels vary by coast, with the US East Coast and Chicago-via-West-Coast routings sitting notably higher than the West Coast, and premium-tier pricing running higher still. Increases have been more pronounced on the US East Coast and Gulf due to the addition of Panama Canal surcharges.
• Named account (NAC) Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) will continue through August, with a possible further increase in the second half of the month. Panama Canal surcharges are being applied to NAC rates as a separate, additional charge.
• Premium allocation tiers such as MSC’s Diamond Tier remain available, though shippers are under less pressure to use them now that additional capacity has eased conditions on the trade.
• Operational space remains highly restricted overall, though it has recovered to a stronger position than in July. The additional capacity being deployed is primarily aimed at working through the backlog accumulated in Asia following the previous tariff deal, rather than reflecting genuinely loose conditions.
• Demand is expected to remain high throughout August.
• Vessel schedule disruption is continuing across both Central and Southern China transpacific services as a result of the typhoon, affecting capacity to both the US West and East Coasts, with Ningbo and Shanghai already closed for a period from 7 August.
• Panama Canal restrictions continue to tighten, with carriers becoming more selective on cargo due to weight limitations.
• Congestion at US ports remains at a manageable level.

Air

Central China (SHA/NGB)

• SHA: A typhoon over the weekend and into Monday significantly disrupted flights this week, with the majority of Sunday and Monday departures cancelled or delayed and recovery not expected until Thursday at the earliest. The resulting capacity reduction has pushed rates upward on both the US West Coast and East Coast lanes. Elevated oil prices remain the primary factor sustaining high freight costs, and most carriers are expected to hold current rate levels until oil prices ease meaningfully. Availability at lower price points remains limited, with comparatively more space accessible at higher price points. Space and rates require case-by-case confirmation.

North China (DLC/TSN/TAO/PEK)

• TSN: The market is normal this week, with rates holding stable. Freighter services offer the earliest departure availability, with select carriers providing more competitive rates to LAX, SFO, and SEA. Space requires a 6–7 day booking lead time. Rates with select carriers are expected to remain at an elevated level, with space and pricing to be checked case by case.
• DLC/PEK: Rates held steady across most major airlines this week. Dense cargo can access spot pricing, while high-volume shipments require a 6–7 day booking lead time and must accept flight splitting. Rates across all carriers are expected to remain elevated, with space and pricing requiring case-by-case verification.
• TAO: The market to the US is slightly busier this week, with space not especially tight to either coast. Rates to the US West Coast eased slightly this week, while East Coast rates held at a comparatively higher level. Carriers continue to release spot pricing for dense or high-volume cargo. Space to the US is expected to tighten going forward, with rates remaining elevated and requiring case-by-case confirmation.

South China (CAN/SZX/XMN)

• CAN: High temperatures are creating loading limits this week, which may affect scheduling for high-density shipments. Spot rates remain variable and must be confirmed case by case against the actual flight date.
• SZX: The market is moving into the slack season. All shipments must be validated with the carrier case by case, with deferred service options available to both the US West and East Coasts, with East Coast pricing running higher than West Coast. Quoting remains strictly case by case.
• XMN: Rates have eased slightly this week on the main CX service. All shipments and rate validations must be checked on an individual case-by-case basis.

Ocean

• FAK rates are increasing again for the second half of August across the major carriers, extending the upward trend seen through the month, with rates out of Chittagong also increasing for the second half of August.
• Space remains very tight across all carriers, with bookings running roughly two weeks ahead.
• Carriers continue to work through a cargo backlog, with blank sailings confirmed on HMM and ONE in weeks 33 and 36. Container availability issues persist intermittently across most carriers, from certain inland container depots (ICDs).
• Exporters are struggling for both space and containers, as carriers prioritise allocation towards more lucrative trades such as China.
• Severe rainfall across the Indian Subcontinent continues to cause delays both at ports and landside. 
• Chittagong port operations are holding up reasonably well despite the adverse weather, though temporary disruption has occurred due to high winds and rainfall.
• Nhava Sheva, Chennai, and Karachi are also experiencing weather-related disruption.
• Colombo remains heavily congested, with cargo rolls now commonplace.
• SCI has tendered for six new boxships and holds a major stake in Bharat Lines, which is providing vessel capacity for the India–Pakistan (IPAK) to North West Continent trade.
• MSC has added Vizhinjam to its India–Pakistan (IPAK) rotation.
• Shippers are advised to proactively escalate any long-term (L-T) urgent bookings as early as possible, as space on named accounts (NACs) is severely limited relative to historical lifting volumes.

Ocean

• August is shaping up more favourably than July for the Europe–US lane, with FAK levels among core carriers easing slightly from July’s peak, though overall rates remain elevated by historical standards.
• Shippers should watch closely for further General Rate Increases (GRIs) and Peak Season Surcharges (PSS): carriers pushed through substantial PSS increases on 1 and 15 July, and a further mid-August GRI is possible as carriers look to defend rate levels. Fuel-related surcharges (EBAF/EFS) remain sharply elevated, meaning that even where base rates soften, all-in costs stay heavy.
• Booking conditions are easing, with required lead times shortening from around four weeks in July to two to three weeks now, and fewer blank sailings expected than last month. Overall service capacity remains below pre-disruption levels, so the market is easier but not loose.
• Schedule reliability on the trade continues to improve, with the lane average now above 70%. ICL was the standout performer for reliability, followed by ACL and MSC, with Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, OOCL, and Evergreen all tracking above 60%. Remaining carriers are performing in the 40–50% range.
• July was tight, but conditions are expected to ease gradually through August on the back of lighter cargo volumes and typical seasonal shutdowns, rather than any reduction in vessel deployment. Space should be easier to secure as the month progresses.
• Congestion persists at Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Antwerp, while Bremerhaven and Genoa continue to face yard, berthing, and rail-related disruption. On the US side, discharge, rail, and trucking operations remain stable with no significant issues reported.

Benelux

Antwerp

• PSA 913: Yard utilisation is at 80–85%, with reefer utilisation at 55–60%.
• PSA 869: Yard utilisation stands at 65–70%, with reefer utilisation at 70–75%.
• AGW: Yard utilisation has normalised to 75–80%, with reefer utilisation at 70–75%.

Rotterdam

• ECT: Yard utilisation remains at an elevated level of 75–80%.
• RWG: Yard utilisation remains at a critical level of 80–85%.
• Delta II: Yard utilisation is low at 35–40%, with reefer utilisation at 30–35%.
• APMT Maasvlakte II: Yard utilisation is at a higher level of 85–90%.

USA

Ocean

• LA/LB: 1 vessel waiting, with a 7-day dwell on the rail terminals.
• Oakland: 2 vessels waiting, with a 5-day rail dwell.
• Seattle and Tacoma: 1 vessel waiting, with a 4-day dwell on rail.
• Vancouver: 1 vessel waiting, with a 6-day dwell on rail.
• NY/NJ: 3 vessels waiting, with a 2-day dwell on the rail.
• Savannah: 7 vessels waiting, with a 3-day dwell on the rail.

Europe Public Holidays

We anticipate a shortage of availability and the occurrence of delays around the bank holiday periods. Plan ahead and allow extra time for your products to be delivered.

August 2026

• 14 August (Fri): Holy See (Vatican City), Saint Helena*
• 15 August (Sat): Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany*, Greece, Holy See (Vatican City), Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland*
• 20 August (Thu): Estonia, Hungary
• 21 August (Fri): Hungary
• 24 August (Mon): Ukraine
• 25 August (Tue): North Cyprus
• 27 August (Thu): Moldova
• 29 August (Sat): Slovakia
• 30 August (Sun): North Cyprus, Türkiye
• 31 August (Mon): Gibraltar, Guernsey and Alderney, Isle of Man, Jersey, Moldova, Saint Helena, UK (United Kingdom), UK (United Kingdom)

September 2026

• 2 September (Wed): Spain, Transdniestria (PMR)
• 3 September (Thu): San Marino
• 5 September (Sat): Albania
• 6 September (Sun): Bulgaria
• 7 September (Mon): Albania, Bulgaria, Luxembourg
• 8 September (Tue): Andorra, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Malta, Spain
• 10 September (Thu): Gibraltar, Switzerland
• 11 September (Fri): Spain
• 15 September (Tue): Slovakia, Spain
• 17 September (Thu): Holy See (Vatican City), Spain
• 20 September (Sun): Germany
• 21 September (Mon): Malta, Switzerland
• 22 September (Tue): Bulgaria
• 24 September (Thu): Austria
• 25 September (Fri): Switzerland
• 27 September (Sun): Belgium
• 28 September (Mon): Czech Republic

October 2026

• 1 October (Thu): Cyprus, San Marino
• 3 October (Sat): Germany
• 4 October (Sun): Italy
• 5 October (Mon): Portugal
• 9 October (Fri): Spain*
• 10 October (Sat): Austria*
• 11 October (Sun): Macedonia
• 12 October (Mon): Macedonia, Spain
• 14 October (Wed): Moldova*
• 23 October (Fri): Hungary, Macedonia
• 26 October (Mon): Austria, Ireland (Eire)
• 28 October (Wed): Cyprus, Czech Republic, Greece, Türkiye*
• 29 October (Thu): North Cyprus, Türkiye
• 31 October (Sat): Finland, Germany*, Slovenia, Sweden, Åland (Ahvenanmaa)

November 2026

• 1 November (Sun): Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), Croatia, France, Germany, Holy See (Vatican City), Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland*
• 2 November (Mon): Belgium*, Lithuania, Monaco, San Marino, Spain*
• 4 November (Wed): Russia
• 7 November (Sat): Belarus
• 9 November (Mon): Spain*
• 11 November (Wed): Austria*, Belgium, France, Poland, Serbia
• 13 November (Fri): Montenegro, Saint Helena
• 14 November (Sat): Montenegro
• 15 November (Sun): Austria*, Belgium*, North Cyprus
• 17 November (Tue): Czech Republic
• 18 November (Wed): Croatia, Germany*, Latvia
• 19 November (Thu): Monaco
• 21 November (Sat): Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH)*
• 22 November (Sun): Albania
• 23 November (Mon): Albania
• 25 November (Wed): Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH)*
• 28 November (Sat): Albania
• 29 November (Sun): Albania
• 30 November (Mon): Albania, Romania

Traffic bans

11.08.26

• AT | Austria: 00:00 – 05:00; 22:00 – 24:00
• CH | Switzerland: 00:00 – 05:00; 22:00 – 24:00
• LI | Liechtenstein: 00:00 – 05:00; 22:00 – 24:00

12.08.26

• AT | Austria: 00:00 – 05:00; 22:00 – 24:00
• CH | Switzerland: 00:00 – 05:00; 22:00 – 24:00
• LI | Liechtenstein: 00:00 – 05:00; 22:00 – 24:00

13.08.26

• AT | Austria: 00:00 – 05:00; 22:00 – 24:00
• CH | Switzerland: 00:00 – 05:00; 22:00 – 24:00
• LI | Liechtenstein: 00:00 – 05:00; 22:00 – 24:00

14.08.26

• AT | Austria: 00:00 – 05:00; 22:00 – 24:00
• CZ | Czech Republic: 17:00 – 21:00
• FR | France: 22:00 – 24:00
• GR | Greece: 16:00 – 22:00
• GR | Greece: 15:00 – 22:00
• LU | Luxembourg: 21:30 – 24:00
• LU | Luxembourg: 23:30 – 24:00
• PL | Poland: 18:00 – 22:00
• RO | Romania: 12:00 – 22:00
• RO | Romania: 18:00 – 22:00
• RO | Romania: 06:00 – 22:00
• CH | Switzerland: 00:00 – 05:00; 22:00 – 24:00
• IT | Italy: 16:00 – 22:00
• LI | Liechtenstein: 00:00 – 05:00; 22:00 – 24:00

15.08.26

• AT | Austria: 00:00 – 22:00
• AT | Austria: 22:00 – 24:00
• HR | Croatia: 04:00 – 23:00
• CZ | Czech Republic: 07:00 – 13:00
• FR | France: 00:00 – 24:00
• GR | Greece: 08:00 – 22:00
• GR | Greece: 08:00 – 13:00
• GR | Greece: 08:00 – 16:00
• LU | Luxembourg: 00:00 – 24:00
• LU | Luxembourg: 00:00 – 21:45; 23:30 – 24:00
• DE | Germany: 07:00 – 20:00
• PL | Poland: 08:00 – 22:00
• RO | Romania: 06:00 – 22:00
• SK | Slovakia: 07:00 – 19:00
• SI | Slovenia: 08:00 – 22:00
• CH | Switzerland: 00:00 – 05:00; 22:00 – 24:00
• HU | Hungary: 15:00 – 24:00
• IT | Italy: 07:00 – 22:00
• IT | Italy: 00:00 – 22:00
• LI | Liechtenstein: 00:00 – 24:00