On June 4, 2026, the Drewry World Container Index surged 23% in a single week, bringing the average cost to $3,433 per FEU.
This is not an ordinary seasonal spike. It is the convergence of three simultaneous factors reshaping international transportation costs for the second half of 2026.
Secondo il World Container Index di Drewry, il 4 giugno 2026 i noli marittimi hanno registrato un balzo del +23% in una sola settimana.
The sharpest increases are recorded on Asia-outbound routes. Shanghai–Los Angeles is up 31% to $4,565/FEU; Shanghai–New York
up 20% to $5,505/FEU; Shanghai–Genoa up 20% to $5,089/FEU. Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk have announced new Peak Season Surchargeson Asia–Europe lanes, effective June 8 and 10: up to $1,000 additional per FEU.
Transatlantic Europe–North America lanes are showing a more contained dynamic, with modest increases and greater stability compared to transpacific routes. For Italian companies exporting to the USA and Canada via Europe, the differential remains favorable — but requires constant monitoring.
The first factor is an early peak season: volumes have picked up earlier than usual, with shippers booking space well in advance to avoid rolled cargo.
The second factor is the Hormuz Premium. The ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is reducing capacity on Asia–Middle East lanes, generating insurance surchargesacross the entire global fleet. MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, and Cosco have suspended or reduced services to Gulf ports.
The third driver is US tariff front-loading: many companies are pulling forward shipments ahead of new US tariffs expected in July 2026, further squeezing availablecapacity on the spot market.
An often overlooked factor is the exchange rate. Between June 5 and 9, 2026, the US dollar strengthened significantly, pushing EUR/USD from 1.166 to 1.150 — its lowest level since early April. Ocean freight is denominated in dollars: a weakereuro automatically amplifies cost increases for those paying in European currency.
Secondo i dati di Trading Economics, tra il 5 e il 9 giugno il dollaro si è
rafforzato portando l’EUR/USD da 1,166 a 1,150.
Contributing factors included stronger-than-expected US jobs data — Nonfarm Payrolls at +172,000 in May, nearly double forecasts — alongside expectations of an ECB rate hike on June 11.
Companies with shipments scheduled for July–September 2026 must act on three fronts. First, verify space availability on relevant trade lanes today: contracted allocations are already being reduced.
Second, consider forward contracts to lock in rates before the new General Rate Increases expected in July. Third, build a lead time buffer of at least two weeks beyond historicalaverages, accounting for ongoing port congestion in Northern Europe — with berthing delays of up to 41 hours in Antwerp and 23 hours in Rotterdam.
The market rewards those who plan ahead. It penalizes those who wait.
Cargomar continuously monitors freight rate trends and international trade lanes to provide clients with timely and competitive solutions. Our established presence on Italy–USA, Italy–Canada, Italy–Mexico, and Italy–Brazil
routes enables our team to support companies in managing their shipments, even in complex and fast-evolving market conditions.
For a personalized analysis of the trade lanes relevant to your business, please contact us directly.
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peak season 2026,
Strait of Hormuz,
US tariffs,
EUR/USD,
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