[April 2026] Logistics Market Intelligence Report

Container Freight Rate : SCFI

: The composite index for week 14 of 2026 rose by 1.5% week-on-week, as operational disruptions in the Middle East and increased rerouting costs continued to exert upward pressure on freight rates across all trades. The March average also recorded a sharp increase of 31.1%.
By trade lane, the U.S. West Coast saw limited growth of 0.3%, while the U.S. East Coast showed relative strength with a 2.8% increase. North Europe and the Mediterranean entered a correction phase, declining by 3.1% and 2.9% respectively. The East Coast of South America posted a moderate gain of 5.4%. The Middle East led the overall increase, surging 6.7% in week 14 and 192.2% in March, driven by severe supply constraints.

(Source : Shanghai Shipping Exchange )

Samsung SDS SCFI Forecast

: The composite index in April 2026 is expected to remain elevated, supported by continued pressure from fuel costs, rerouting expenses, and emergency surcharges.
The U.S. West Coast is likely to stabilize due to weaker demand and increased capacity, while the U.S. East Coast is expected to maintain relative strength under supply constraints, albeit with limited upside.
North Europe and the Mediterranean are expected to remain firm amid supply constraints and network restructuring, with the Mediterranean having further upside potential due to direct impacts from Middle East-related network shifts.
The East Coast of South America is expected to show mixed dynamics with both upward momentum and correction pressure, while the Middle East trade is likely to experience the strongest upward rate pressure due to intensified supply constraints.

(Source : SamsungSDS Brightics)

Demand & Supply Trend

: Global container demand is projected to grow by 2.4% in 2026; however, the recovery is expected to remain limited due to the Middle East conflict and uncertainties surrounding U.S. tariff policies.
Asia–North America trade is likely to see a gradual rebound after a weak first half, while Asia–Europe is expected to experience slowing growth with increasing divergence across trade lanes.
On the supply side, structural overcapacity is expected to persist due to fleet expansion, although effective supply remains constrained by the impact of the conflict.
In April, capacity expansion is likely to focus on the U.S. West Coast alongside redeployment toward Europe, while Middle East risks and rising costs are expected to drive inefficiencies and increased volatility in supply.

(Source : Clarksons)

Regional Trends

[Asia] Strengthening Supply Chain Resilience through Multimodal Expansion amid Solid China Volumes

-China continues to maintain its export base, with outbound container throughput rising 13.7% year-on-year. At the same time, it is enhancing resilience to Middle East risks by expanding multimodal logistics linked with Southeast Asia. A structural shift is underway, moving beyond port-centric operations toward integrated rail and road networks to reduce reliance on long-haul ocean transport.

[Americas] Prolonged Tariff Uncertainty Limits Demand Recovery, Shift toward High-Value Cargo

- Ongoing uncertainty around U.S. tariff policies is constraining import recovery in the first half, reinforcing a short-term, order-based procurement pattern. Meanwhile, the share of high-value cargo such as AI servers from Taiwan is increasing, making cargo mix transformation, rather than volume growth, a key driver in transpacific trade.

[Europe] Network Restructuring amid Middle East Risks and Rising Pressure on Hubs

-In response to uncertainties around Middle East port calls, Europe is undergoing network restructuring, including adjustments to India–Europe routes and the strengthening of alternative hubs. Northern European ports are facing sustained upward pressure on freight rates due to increased imports from Asia and hub reallocation. At the same time, efforts to enhance maritime security, port competitiveness, and green investments—particularly in Germany—are progressing in parallel.

TAC Index

: The Baltic Air Freight Index (BAI) for week 13 stood at 2,396, rising 9.3% week-on-week and 2.1% year-on-year. The March average also increased by 1.7% month-on-month, indicating an upward trend following the February adjustment.
In March, the air cargo market saw notable rate increases and heightened volatility on the Asia–Europe lane, driven by weakened Middle East transshipment functions and rising rerouting demand. In particular, rates from India to Europe surged by 52.6% month-on-month. Meanwhile, rates from Korea increased for both U.S. and Europe-bound shipments, with the U.S. lane showing stronger momentum supported by robust demand for semiconductors and servers.

(Source : TAC Index)

Samsung SDS TAC Forecasting

: The air cargo market in April is expected to see overall rate increases and heightened volatility, as recovering demand coincides with supply constraints driven by the Middle East conflict. The weakening of Middle East hub functions is disrupting transshipment networks and accelerating a shift toward a hybrid structure of direct and rerouted services, keeping Asia-Europe rates elevated.
In addition, rising jet fuel prices and expanding fuel surcharges are sustaining upward pressure on total transportation costs. Following the recent surge, rates are likely to remain at elevated levels, with increased reliance on short-term contracts and continued volatility.

(Source : SamsungSDS Brightics)

Demand & Supply Trend

: In February, demand declined by 3.6% month-on-month due to Lunar New Year-related slowdowns in Asian production and shipments, but still maintained a 11.6% year-on-year increase, supported by long-haul lanes. In March, outbound volumes from Asia rebounded quickly with the resumption of production and increased shipments of semiconductors and electronics. However, demand in the Middle East and South Asia declined due to the impact of the conflict, leading to continued regional gaps.
On the supply side, February saw a month-on-month decline but maintained year-on-year growth. In March, however, supply contracted due to airspace restrictions in the Middle East, prompting a shift toward direct Asia–Europe services. With the weakening of Middle East hub functions and increased rerouting, effective capacity constraints are expected to persist, leading to a widening imbalance across trade lanes in the short term.

(Source : World ACD, IATA, Seabury)

Regional Trends

[Asia] Expansion of China–Southeast Asia-Centered Air Network and Intensifying Hub Competition

-China is strengthening connectivity by expanding long-haul cargo routes to Europe and North America centered on Shanghai, while also rapidly extending Southeast Asia networks around Hainan. In Southeast Asia, cargo volumes and direct flights are increasing, particularly in the Philippines and Vietnam, driving a shift toward a multi-hub competitive structure.

[Americas] Rising Air Logistics Burden amid Airport Disruptions and Geopolitical Risks

-In the U.S., shortages of security personnel and operational bottlenecks are worsening delays at major hubs such as Houston, New York, and Atlanta. Operational risks are further heightened by vulnerabilities in GPS-dependent navigation systems. At the same time, Middle East-related disruptions are causing flight cancellations, capacity shortages, and rising costs, with over 75% of U.S. forwarders experiencing operational challenges and rising logistics burden.

[Europe] Supply Tightness from Middle East Spillover and Strengthening Hub Capabilities

-Europe is facing worsening air cargo supply shortages due to rerouting around the Middle East, with sharp increases in freight rates and fuel surcharges. At the same time, major airports are expanding handling capacity and investing in specialized cargo infrastructure, such as pharmaceutical cold chains, to absorb rerouted demand and enhance hub competitiveness.

Market Intelligence [April. 2026]Logistics Market Intelligence Report

Container Freight Rate : SCFI

Samsung SDS SCFI Forecast

Demand & Supply Trend

Regional Trends

TAC Index

Samsung SDS TAC Forecasting

Demand & Supply Trend

Regional Trends

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Market Intelligence [April. 2026]
Logistics Market Intelligence Report