Fashion
Asia Pacific logistics slows in Feb as post-holiday demand hits rates
Ocean freight conditions softened across major trade lanes as muted cargo demand and expanding fleet capacity pushed spot rates downward. Transpacific routes from Asia to the US experienced notable declines, with some carriers reportedly offering prices near or below breakeven levels. Rates on Asia–Europe corridors, including the Shanghai–Rotterdam route, also trended lower, reinforcing the cooling market environment.
Shipping lines intensified capacity management strategies to counter the downturn, increasing the frequency of blank sailings. Meanwhile, operational challenges persisted, with congestion reported at key transhipment hubs such as Singapore, Shanghai, and Ningbo, resulting in delays of two to four days. Structural changes within global carrier alliances continued to reshape service networks, including the Gemini Cooperation between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd and the reconfigured Premier Alliance comprising ONE, Yang Ming, and HMM.
Asia Pacific logistics softened in February 2026 amid a post-Lunar New Year slowdown, with intra-Asia container rates down 3 per cent and ocean freight weakening across major lanes.
Air cargo eased but stayed resilient.
Meanwhile, road disruptions, policy initiatives, and sustained investment in logistics infrastructure underscored ongoing regional supply chain transformation.
Industry developments during the month included Hapag-Lloyd’s agreement to acquire ZIM Integrated Shipping Services for $4.2 billion, signalling consolidation momentum within container shipping. The Red Sea security situation continued to influence routing decisions, with some carriers cautiously evaluating partial returns to the Suez Canal while many services remained diverted around the Cape of Good Hope. In India, the government reviewed progress on Chennai Port projects and advanced the Bharat Container Line initiative to enhance domestic shipping capacity.
Air cargo markets displayed a parallel seasonal moderation after a pre-holiday surge in volumes. Spot rates eased but remained above year-earlier levels, reflecting persistent structural capacity tightness. Shipment volumes from Asia Pacific to the US edged up slightly, while flows to Europe remained broadly stable. Notably, chargeable weight from Vietnam to Europe increased 10 per cent week on week in week six, driven by resilient high-tech and e-commerce demand.
Regional pricing trends varied, with Shanghai outbound rates softening yet maintaining year-on-year gains, while Hong Kong remained comparatively firm. Southeast Asian origins such as Vietnam and Thailand recorded rate improvements on Europe routes, highlighting ongoing supply chain diversification under the China+1 strategy. Airlines continued reallocating freighter capacity towards Asia–Europe lanes, which have experienced sustained growth.
Long-term supply constraints persisted due to aircraft delivery backlogs extending into the next decade, although global capacity rose around 4–5 per cent in early 2026 through expanded passenger bellyhold availability. Infrastructure developments supported specialised cargo handling, including Shanghai Pudong’s attainment of multi-category IATA CEIV certification. Network connectivity also expanded through new interline agreements and freighter route launches linking Europe and Asia.
Road freight and intermodal transport reflected a complex mix of seasonal disruption and structural expansion. Trucking availability in China dropped sharply during the holiday week beginning February 17, with inland logistics expected to take several weeks to normalise. Policy initiatives such as China’s expanded Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) transit coverage for bonded and e-commerce goods enabled new cross-border routes from Kashgar to Uzbekistan and Pakistan, reducing transit times and costs.
Multimodal momentum continued as the Alataw Pass hub dispatched its 1,000th China–Europe freight train of the year ahead of the previous schedule, underscoring strengthening Eurasian rail connectivity. Holiday-related congestion affected trucking corridors in Vietnam, while Malaysia imposed temporary heavy-vehicle restrictions to manage traffic flows. Border facilitation measures, including China’s fast-track lane for foreign truck drivers at the Vietnam frontier, aimed to improve cross-border efficiency.
Across Asia, governments and industry players advanced logistics infrastructure and policy frameworks. India announced plans for a new East-West Dedicated Freight Corridor linking Dankuni and Surat, while South Korea reinstated the Safe Rates system to stabilise trucking conditions. Japan progressed collaborative relay transport models, expanded foreign workforce recruitment to address driver shortages, and continued autonomous truck testing on the Shin-Tomei Expressway.
Warehousing and logistics real estate investment remained robust throughout the region. Transactions included Nippon Express acquiring a stake in Pakistan’s TCS Logistics, institutional investment in Yokohama’s Sachiura Distribution Centre, and Cabot Properties’ entry into the Japanese logistics market. Additional projects spanned Australia and Japan, while China witnessed ongoing logistics Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) activity led by CapitaLand Investment and Prologis.
India’s logistics sector also attracted significant investment and policy support, including Bertelsmann’s majority acquisition of Lets Transport, Logistics Plus’ purchase of EVO Supply Chain Solutions, new warehouse development approvals in Nagpur, and Kuehne+Nagel’s container freight station near JNPA. South Korea reported strong logistics property investment momentum driven by foreign capital inflows.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)