Container rate rally has more legs than bears assume
Precision needed on what drives box rates
By Alex Lennane
2026 got off to a chilly start for global supply chains, with Europe’s major ports hit by snow and ice, disrupting terminal operations and road and rail links. Meanwhile, carriers are pressing ahead with fresh terminal investments, and Cosco is quietly expanding its hinterland ambitions.
The Loadstar‘s managing editor, Gavin van Marle, breaks down what’s happening on the ocean side as carriers front-load capacity ahead of Chinese New Year, and rates settle after the festive period.
Publisher Alex Lennane joins describing a full airfreight reset as seasonality returns, capacity shifts sharply, and shippers weigh whether softening ocean rates could trigger a modal shift from air.
We also revisit the CargoWise pricing shake-up as the first invoices land, and confusion grows; plus an update on the controversial US mega-rail merger and what it could mean for inland transport.
From winter disruption to strategic repositioning, this episode sets the tone for the year ahead in freight.
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