2026 PEAK SEASON
Currently, securing vessel space is becoming more difficult, transit times are lengthening, and freight rates are subject to surcharges such as PSS (Peak Season Surcharge) or adjustments to the BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor).
We are currently in the midst of Peak Season. This year, the situation has intensified due to the imminent closure of factories in Asia for Golden Week, residual port congestion following recent Pacific typhoons, and consumer demand that has been brought forward to secure Christmas inventory.
What is happening on your trade routes?
Routes from Asia to Latin America and Europe: Golden Week (October 1–7). During this week, factories in China shut down completely. This leads to a rush to move containers out before the closure, saturating origin ports like Shanghai, Ningbo, and Shenzhen, and causing freight rates to skyrocket.
Inter-American and North American connections: The surge in cargo flow toward major US consumer centers and key regional distribution hubs (such as Mexico or Panama) is causing customs bottlenecks and delays in onward ground transport connections (the so-called "last mile").
To ensure that delays and unexpected costs do not impact your business, we recommend implementing this immediate action plan:
- Booking space just a few days in advance is no longer viable. To guarantee your cargo makes it onto the vessel on critical Asian routes, you must confirm bookings at least three weeks in advance.
- Diversify your ports of entry and exit: If your supplier's usual port or your final destination port is congested, ask us about alternative routes.
- Understand the surcharges (BAF and PSS): The BAF fluctuates based on marine fuel prices, while the PSS is a temporary fee driven by high demand. 4. Consider air freight for urgent shipments: If a maritime delay puts a major contract or sales campaign at risk, evaluate air freight or alternative maritime service options.
At World Ocean Cargo Ibérica, we have agents in almost every country worldwide; this gives us firsthand insight into market conditions (pricing and capacity) and enables us to secure import, export, and cross-trade bookings tailored to our clients' specific needs.
