As the inflationary pressures on freight rates, stemming from Red Sea disruptions, front-loading and tariff-related issues, begin to ease, shippers are likely to negotiate more favourable contract rates and improved terms with carriers and forwarders for 2026.
The Drewry East-West Contract Rate Index – an average of contract rates paid by over 100 multinational shippers on 17 major ocean routes – saw a fall in the 12 months to September, the first year-on-year reduction since July 2024.
Although the decrease was just 3% year-on-year, it marks the reversal in the trend of ocean contract rates. This modest decrease will be followed by significant contract rate reductions as 2026 contracts are put out to bid and negotiated, according to Drewry’s ocean procurement experts.
Source: article from Drewry.