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Posted by Amanda Bradfield
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16 July, 2026
THIS week I genuinely thought things would go smoothly. Instead, I found myself rushing from one thing to the next and eating more meals in the car than I'd care to admit (my apologies to anyone who pulled up beside me at the traffic lights!).
If you've had one of those weeks too, you'll be glad it's Friday. Here's a quick wrap-up of this week's trade news.
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated again, with the US tightening its blockade of Iran and commercial shipping slowing through the region. Renewed Houthi threats in the Red Sea have raised concerns that disruption could spread beyond the Strait of Hormuz, increasing risks for global trade and energy supplies. India has also suspended the deployment of seafarers through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice, while more than 15,000 Indian crew members remain stranded in the region.
The Drewry World Container Index slipped 2% this week as early peak season demand eased and front-loading ahead of US tariff deadlines began to wind down. Capacity management and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty are expected to keep rates relatively stable in the near term.
The Drewry Intra-Asia Container Index also fell, declining 1% for a fourth consecutive week as demand softened across key trade lanes. While the market is showing signs of cooling, carriers continue to expand intra-Asia services and rates are expected to remain broadly stable.
Mother Nature isn't letting up either. Flooding and heavy rain across Bangladesh, China, India and the Philippines continue to disrupt port and landside operations, creating backlogs that will take time to clear. Delays are expected to linger as terminals work through the congestion.
What else is happening out there?
💠 CMA CGM Notre Dame completes first European bio-LNG bunkering
💠 Hutchison Ports signs logistics deals with Midea and TCL
💠 Cargo trial flights begin at Western Sydney International Airport
💠 Former TasPorts CEO Anthony Donald to lead Interport Global
💠 Port of Long Beach cargo volumes rise 10.6% in June
💠 OOCL reports 19.8% second-quarter revenue growth
💠 SM Group confirms it will retain HMM stake
💠 Adani fast-tracks Mundra's fifth container terminal
💠 US imposes 25% tariffs on most Brazilian imports
💠 Port of Los Angeles launches zero-emission truck purchasing programme
💠 Exporters seek compensation after floods disrupt Chittagong Port
💠 Korean nuclear-powered containership design receives ABS approval
💠 Sealegend Shipping launches weekly Northern Sea Route service
Today's photo features Maersk Shekou, one of the largest container vessels to regularly call Fremantle. Many will remember her from the STS Leeuwin incident in August 2024, it's hard to believe we're now just over a month away from the two year anniversary.
Have a great weekend all and if you are heading to the WA International Trade Ball - hope to see you there!
