Status: Live Update – Week Commencing 13th April 2026
Overview
Status: Live Update – Week Commencing 13 April 2026
Geopolitical tensions involving Iran continue to influence global logistics markets, with this week showing a steady but entrenched impact across freight pricing, risk management and supply chain planning. While no direct disruption has occurred across major transport corridors, the prolonged nature of the situation is now reinforcing a “new normal” in logistics conditions, where elevated costs and heightened risk awareness persist.
Ocean freight markets remain firm, with rates holding at elevated levels across Asia–Europe trade lanes, supported by continued carrier discipline and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.
As a business operating across international logistics networks, it remains critical to maintain visibility and flexibility as conditions stabilise at higher risk thresholds.
Immediate Market Reaction: Market Holding at Higher Baseline
This week, freight markets are showing continued stability at elevated rate levels, with no significant softening observed.
Key developments include:
Spot rates remaining firm across major trade lanes
Carrier pricing holding despite stable operational conditions
Limited volatility compared to earlier weeks
Ongoing influence of fuel and geopolitical risk factors
The market has now clearly transitioned into a higher baseline pricing environment, driven more by sustained uncertainty than immediate disruption.
Maritime Risk: Stable Routes, Persistent Exposure
Shipping activity across the Middle East remains operational, with all major maritime routes continuing to function normally.
Current conditions:
No closures or enforced diversions across key shipping lanes
Port operations continuing without major disruption
Vessel movements proceeding under standard routing
However, underlying risks remain:
Continued elevated military and security presence
Ongoing monitoring of critical chokepoints
Persistent threat of rapid escalation
Insurance markets maintaining cautious positioning
The operating environment remains stable but exposed, with risk still a key factor in decision-making.
Carrier Strategy: Consolidation Phase
Carriers appear to be entering a consolidation phase, maintaining pricing and capacity strategies established over recent weeks.
This week has seen:
GRIs holding across Asia–Europe routes
Stable capacity management with no significant adjustments
Limited introduction of new surcharges
Continued alignment of pricing with fuel and risk exposure
Rather than reacting, carriers are now sustaining current market conditions, reflecting a more measured approach to ongoing uncertainty.
Air Freight: Balanced but Watchful
Air freight markets remain balanced, with no significant disruption to capacity or routing observed this week.
Current position:
Airlines continuing standard operations across key corridors
No widespread airspace restrictions impacting cargo flows
Capacity levels remaining consistent
Risks being monitored:
Potential rerouting scenarios if tensions escalate
Short-term capacity tightening on key lanes
Rate sensitivity for urgent or high-value cargo
Air freight remains operationally stable, but closely tied to geopolitical developments.
Insurance & Cost Environment
Insurance markets continue to reflect a heightened but controlled risk environment.
This week shows:
No major escalation in war-risk premiums
Continued monitoring of exposure across key regions
Stable compliance conditions with ongoing regulatory awareness
Underlying readiness for rapid adjustment if required
Costs are currently stable, but risk pricing remains embedded within the market.
Broader Global Supply Chain Impact
The sustained nature of the situation is now shaping longer-term supply chain behaviour.
Emerging trends include:
Freight rates stabilised at higher levels
Risk management becoming central to logistics planning
Increased focus on supply chain resilience and flexibility
Reduced expectation of short-term cost normalisation
Global supply chains are now operating within a prolonged period of uncertainty, where stability does not remove underlying risk.
Our Position & Ongoing Monitoring
We are actively monitoring:
Freight rate trends and carrier pricing strategies
Maritime security developments across Middle East routes
Air freight capacity and routing conditions
Fuel price movements and surcharge activity
Insurance, compliance and regulatory updates
We will continue to update this blog as the situation evolves.
If you have shipments moving across Asia–Europe or Middle East corridors, we recommend maintaining proactive engagement with our team to review risk exposure and ensure contingency planning remains in place.
This remains a developing situation. Further updates will follow as new information becomes available.
If you have any questions relating to your supply chain being impacted by the conflict in the Middle East, reach out by clicking the 'Get in touch' button.
