Industry News
Ian Matheson , from Impress Communications, reviews some recent news that might impact on Members’ business. Don’t miss Ian’s weekly news round up on BIFA TV, which can be seen on our You Tube channel. Subscribe by scanning the QR code.
Forwarders face container shipping contradiction
May as demand eased after the Mother’s Day flower rush and holiday disruptions, reported Paris-based Cargo Airlines and Airline Services . WorldACD data showed global cargo volumes fell 7% in the week from 27 April to 3 May compared with the previous week. Industry experts said the sector remains vulnerable to further disruption as airlines and logistics firms adjust to volatile fuel costs and changing global trade patterns. OVERLAND The European transport landscape is undergoing significant changes in the first quarter of 2026, influenced by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its associated impacts on fuel prices. According to the latest market report from the European Road Transport Institute Foundation (EITD), activity in the spot market has accelerated considerably, as transport companies search A recent European road freight rates report by the World Road Transport Organisation (IRU), Upply, and Transport Intelligence, reveals that contract rates in the European road freight sector have continued to rise in the first quarter of 2026, whilst spot prices have softened, highlighting a growing separation between the two markets. IN BUSINESS A new Descartes study says transportation as a strategic differentiator, not just a cost centre and an operational necessity. The study says that companies are realising that efficient logistics can directly improve customer experience, sustainability performance, and even profitability. It highlights growing investment. for the best spot rates to secure urgent or ad-hoc freight shipments. nearly half of European shippers and logistics providers now see
ON THE OCEAN The global container shipping market faces a contradiction that would have sounded improbable just a few years ago. Fleets are growing at record pace, yet usable capacity remains tight as geopolitical disruption in the Middle East continues to reshape trade patterns. That tension is now becoming one of the defining issues for freight forwarders, carriers and cargo owners trying to navigate increasingly unpredictable supply chains. Following inspections at the ports of Guangzhou, Qingdao, and Ningbo in August,
September and November 2025, China’s Ministry of Transport has issued fines against a total of nine international container shipping lines, as well as seven of its domestic non- vessel operating common carriers (NVOCC) for what it terms freight rate violations. The containership orderbook has reached a record 13 million teu, according to consultancy Linerlytica, which warns of impending overcapacity. The orderbook- to-fleet ratio stands at 38.3%, a level not seen since the global financial crisis nearly two decades ago.
Carriers are responding to rising bunker prices with a clear ‘two-speed’ dynamic across global container shipping, according to Alphaliner. The impact of higher fuel costs has not been uniform across trade routes. North-South services experienced the steepest slowdown, whilst long-haul routes, where schedule buffers allow for greater flexibility, also adjusted speeds to manage fuel costs. Reports suggest carriers are repositioning empty containers back into China, while depots across Europe remain heavily congested. It is driven by uneven trade flows. Export demand out of Asia remains relatively resilient. Carriers want empties back in China as quickly as possible. There is a renewed surge in Somali piracy which is raising fresh concerns for global container shipping. While vessels travelling far south in the Indian Ocean remain largely safe, routes passing through the Indian Ocean near the Somali Basin and Gulf of Aden are increasingly exposed to risk. ON THE QUAYSIDE Belfast Harbour has unveiled a £1.3 billion investment programme aimed at expanding port capacity, strengthening Irish Sea trade links, and preparing for rising cargo volumes over the next 25 years. The long-term masterplan outlines projects ranging from freight terminal expansion and berth extensions to clean energy infrastructure. IN THE AIR Worldwide air freight tonnage dropped sharply at the start of
6 | June 2026
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