Rising Costs, Delays and What Shippers Need to Do Now

Global freight markets are under significant pressure, with disruption across both ocean and air freight networks leading to longer transit times and higher costs for shippers worldwide. For businesses managing international supply chains, the coming weeks will require careful planning and quicker decision-making.

Ocean freight remains heavily affected by continued instability in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, alongside the ongoing diversion of vessels away from the Suez Canal. Many carriers are still rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope, which is adding substantial time to journeys between Asia and Europe while also affecting wider schedules. Capacity reductions and blank sailings on key East-West trade lanes are tightening available space.

This is causing longer lead times and equipment shortages at several Asian ports. Alternative hubs such as Colombo and Oman are also experiencing congestion. Freight rates continue to rise because of higher fuel costs, along with added charges linked to conflict risk and longer diversion routes. Shippers should also prepare for schedule changes, as well as more rolled bookings and weaker reliability over the next six weeks.

Air freight is facing similar disruption. Airspace closures across parts of the Middle East, combined with fuel supply pressure, have reduced available capacity and forced airlines to reroute services through hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong. This has increased operating costs while also extending transit times. Spot market pricing has risen sharply as space becomes harder to secure.

For importers and exporters, the key message is clear: resilience now depends on flexibility.

Businesses moving goods internationally should consider booking shipments earlier than usual and reviewing routing options now. Building additional lead time into supply chain plans will also help reduce risk. Relying on historic transit schedules or single-port strategies may create unnecessary exposure in the current market.

A stronger approach is to use hub-based routing and diversify entry points where possible. For ocean freight, this may mean using Mediterranean or transshipment hubs instead of direct Gulf services. For urgent cargo, combining air and sea freight can help balance speed with cost.

We understand that market volatility creates real operational pressure. Our teams continue to monitor developments across global freight networks and work closely with customers to build practical solutions that keep supply chains moving.

Businesses that adapt early and stay flexible will be best placed to navigate the months ahead.