Global manufacturing activity lost momentum in November as the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) edged down to 50.5, with output and new orders slowing and employment slipping back into contraction, signalling a fragile start to 2026 for global trade and logistics, according to Taiwan-based Diversified Merchandise Corporation (Dimerco). Despite the softer macro backdrop, airfreight demand across Asia-Pacific remains resilient, driven by strong e-commerce flows to North America and Europe.

Across Southeast Asia, pre-Chinese New Year (CNY) activity is creating fresh congestion, with export backlogs, holiday disruptions and surging e-commerce volumes putting pressure on key gateways. To ease bottlenecks, China Airlines Cargo (CK) is shifting its Bangkok operations to the Thai Airways (TG) terminal from January 2026 in a bid to improve handling efficiency. However, regional capacity remains constrained as aircraft delivery delays keep belly capacity close to 2025 levels, crowding major transit hubs including Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Incheon (South Korea) and Narita (Japan), Dimerco said in its January 2026 Asia-Pacific Freight Report.

Global PMI slipped to 50.5 in November, signalling a fragile start to 2026, yet Asia-Pacific airfreight remains resilient, driven by strong e-commerce demand, according to Dimerco.
Taiwan’s AI exports rose 56 per cent YoY, tightening capacity, while pre-CNY demand is straining Southeast Asia.
Intra-Asia air rates are rising, global container capacity is uneven, and ocean markets remain volatile.

Intra-Asia air rates are also set to climb as the annual block space agreement (BSA) renewal season approaches, with average prices expected to rise by around 10-20 per cent.

On the ocean freight side, global capacity continues to grow, though unevenly across trade lanes. The world container fleet expanded 7.3 per cent YoY to 33.2 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), with most new tonnage deployed on Middle East-Indian Subcontinent, Asia-Africa and Asia-Europe routes. By contrast, transpacific capacity fell 2.9 per cent, reflecting cautious carrier deployment amid weak US import demand.

Shippers remain wary despite a temporary tariff truce between major economies. Market participants expect only a muted rebound in volumes, with lingering uncertainty over whether shipping lines will resume Red Sea transits or continue routing vessels around South Africa, a factor that could significantly alter capacity dynamics in 2026.

Regionally, Southeast Asia is seeing tightening conditions in both air and ocean freight, while India’s air cargo market has eased after the peak season, though winter fog poses a growing risk to flight schedules. Indian ocean freight rates remain broadly stable, but exporters have been advised to build buffer time for potential inland transport delays.

In North America, airfreight demand typically softens after the year-end retail peak but is expected to firm again ahead of Lunar New Year, lifting spot rates. Ocean freight demand remains weak, with abundant capacity keeping pricing under pressure. Europe, meanwhile, faces fresh disruption from strikes across the UK, Spain, Italy and Portugal, reducing air cargo reliability and effective capacity.

“Until trade activity clearly recovers, any early return to the Red Sea could add excess capacity and further disrupt an already fragile market in 2026,” said Ted Chen, director—Ocean Freight at Dimerco Express Group.

“By the end of 2025, several key Intra-Asia lanes, across both air and ocean freight, have reached historical highs, exceeding even pandemic-period levels. This trend has strengthened carriers’ confidence in a robust market outlook for 2026,” said Kathy Liu, VP, global sales and marketing, Dimerco Express Group.

“Ocean freight will be shaped more by capacity imbalances and regional disparities, with potential disruptions linked to any return to Suez Canal routes. Simultaneously, airfreight remains robust, driven by high-tech and e-commerce demands to North America and Europe,” said Catherine Chien, chairwoman of Dimerco Express Group.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)

During the period, apparel imports eased down by *.** per cent to **,***.*** million SME, from **,***.*** million SME in January– October ****. Imports of textiles (non-apparel) reached **,***.*** million SME in January– October ****, marking decline of *.** per cent compared to **,***.*** million SME in the corresponding period of ****.

The import volume of cotton products rose by *.** per cent to **,***.*** million SME during the review period, compared with **,***.*** million SME a year earlier. Meanwhile, imports of man-made fibre (MMF) products eased to **,***.*** million SME in January– October ****, down from **,***.*** million SME in the same period of ****.

Patrick Ta Beauty announced on Wednesday its official debut at Sephora Middle East, as the U.S. beauty brand looks to expand within the region.

As part of the deal with the French beauty retailer, Patrick Ta Beauty will launch across 34 Sephora doors throughout the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar giving locals access to the Vietnamese-American makeup artist’s viral Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo, Major Skin Hydra-Luxe Luminous Skin Perfecting Foundation, and a selection of Ta’s signature glow giving essentials.

“I’ve felt such a strong connection to the beauty community in the Middle East for years – their love for glam, artistry, and the pride in makeup truly inspire me,” said Ta, who co-founded his namesake beauty brand in 2009 with product specialist, Rima Minasyan, and  entrepreneur, Avo Minasyan. 

“So many of my followers and clients from the region have supported me from the very beginning, and this expansion feels like a moment we’ve all been building toward together. Bringing Patrick Ta Beauty to Sephora Middle East is a dream come true, and I can’t wait to meet everyone and share our artistry in person with this exciting next chapter for the brand.”

To mark the launch, which rolls out online Janaury 16 and in-store on January 22, Ta will be in the region for a series of celebratory activations, including personal appearances at Sephora Dubai Mall, meet-and-greets, VIP events, and engagements with local creators and tastemakers.

“We are thrilled to bring Patrick Ta Beauty to our vibrant beauty community across the Middle East, who are always seeking the latest innovations,” said Hasmik Panossian, Sephora Middle East managing director.

“Celebrated for its modern artistry and innovative formulas, Patrick Ta Beauty delivers elevated, high-quality products that truly resonate with our customers. At Sephora Middle East, we are proud to consistently introduce the brands our community is asking for, and we look forward to having our customers experience Patrick Ta Beauty firsthand.”

The Midde East deals comes just months after Patrick Ta Beauty inked a new distribution deal with Sephora to enter Mexico, where it is now available across 50 stores locally.