Ports

Asia-Middle East Rates Spike 250% as Peak Season Cargo Surge Overwhelms Gulf Ports

Container freight rates on the Far East-to-Middle East corridor reached record levels in 2026 as importers accelerated shipments into the region during peak season. Port infrastructure across the Gulf became strained.

Pricing on the route climbed 250% year-to-date through September, marking the steepest gains among major container shipping lanes, according to Container Trades Statistics. The index from Greater China to the Middle East hit 392 in September, up 15.5% month-on-month despite year-to-date volumes declining 12%.

September marked the first month since regional conflict began that volumes rebounded, with China-Middle East traffic exceeding prior-year levels for the first time since January-February. The surge pushed ports behind the Strait of Hormuz into congestion as importers rushed to secure capacity before further disruptions.