Maersk

Industry News

High Freight Rates Drive New India-Middle East Container Services to UAE Ports

Historically high freight yields are spurring container lines to launch dedicated services between India and Middle East ports, with UAE gateways such as Khor Fakkan seeing increased traffic. Danish carrier Maersk has deployed a new shuttle between India's Nhava Sheva and Khor Fakkan, while Chinese line CULines is planning an Asia-Middle East service. Ongoing overland cross-border transport bottlenecks and port congestion continue to elevate regional spot rates and trigger fresh carrier surcharges.

Industry News

China-Gulf Freight Rates Rise as Hormuz Disruptions Offset Suez Rebound

The Drewry World Container Index reached $4,434 per 40ft container in early October 2026, marking a roughly 154 percent year-on-year increase. Despite an easing of Red Sea routing and a 68 percent rebound in Suez transits, China-to-Gulf shipping rates remained elevated due to disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. Ocean carrier Maersk has implemented emergency surcharges, constraining capacity between Chinese ports and Gulf hubs like Jebel Ali.