SUMMARY

Air Freight: The Baltic Air Freight Index (BAI00) fell 2.7% week-on-week to 2,551.00 on July 6, though it remains up 27.7% year-on-year. Corridor indices out of Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London Heathrow, and Shanghai all eased on the week while staying well above year-ago levels.

Ocean Freight: Drewry's World Container Index rose 2% to $4,639 per 40ft container on July 9, its highest level since September 2024. Transpacific and Asia-Europe lanes both climbed further amid blank sailings, tight equipment availability, and pre-tariff-deadline frontloading.

Trucking: DAT's June spot dry van rate reached $3.00 per mile, and spot rates topped contract rates for the first time since February 2022. Flatbed spot rates hit an all-time high of $3.69 per mile as carrier capacity continues to tighten.

SUMMARY

Air Freight: Global air cargo spot rates rose 41% year-over-year in May 2026, reaching $3.40/kg, driven by strong North American and Asia-Pacific demand. Dynamic load factors on Asia–North America lanes reached 90%, signaling tight belly capacity.

Ocean Freight: The Drewry World Container Index surged 5% to $4,166/40ft on June 25 — its highest level since September 2024 — as transpacific frontloading intensifies ahead of anticipated July GRI increases to $7,000–$8,000+.

Trucking: Spot rates hit an all-time recorded high of $3.83/mile in early June driven by seasonal produce and beverage demand, with van load-to-truck ratios up 92% year-over-year. Flatbed remains the tightest segment at $3.60/mile.

Early peak season: what’s different in 2026

Early peak season in 2026 means ocean freight rates are rising weeks ahead of normal, as shippers front‑load inventory before tariffs and events like the FIFA World Cup, tightening capacity and stretching port infrastructure before traditional Q3 peaks. Instead of a gentle ramp in July and August, we are seeing a sharp step‑up in June.

Reno, Nev. – BTX Global Logistics celebrated the new ownership of its Reno, Nevada, branch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held recently. Members of the BTX team, the local community, and the Chamber of Commerce gathered for the event.

BTX Global Logistics is pleased to announce two key promotions within the Corporate Management level of the organization in the Sales and Operations departments. Founded in 1980, BTX is a worldwide provider of transportation and logistics services with 42 regional branches strategically located across North America.