Global container freight rates have risen for four consecutive weeks, with SCFI and KCCI indexes reaching yearly highs driven by strong demand to North and South America, tight vessel capacity and broader geopolitical disruption. Exporters in India report a several-fold surge in 40-ft container costs to the US and other destinations, alongside equipment shortages and reduced sailings. The rate spike amplifies cost pressures across supply chains while boosting liner profitability.
As of August 24–26, 2026, global container freight benchmarks show a fourth straight week of gains, with the Shanghai Container Freight Index (SCFI) climbing to around 3409 points and the Korea Ocean Business Corporation’s Container Composite Index (KCCI) to roughly 4506 points, representing weekly increases in the 2–3 % range and more than a 100 % rise since the start of the year. Analysts in Korea and internationally attribute the sustained uptrend to robust cargo demand on routes to North and South America combined with limited vessel capacity and container availability. In parallel, broader shipping disruption has pushed global container rates to roughly 80 % above levels recorded a year earlier.
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