Global container-shipping analysts are cautioning that 2026 is shaping up to be a difficult year for freight rates, as new vessel deliveries continue to outpace growth in cargo demand across major trade lanes.
In its latest market outlook, shipping analytics firm Xeneta forecasts that global container-ship capacity will expand by around 3.6 next year, while demand is expected to rise by only 3.
Xenetas chief analyst, Peter Sand, says this imbalance is likely to keep the market under sustained downward pressure, particularly on the key east-west routes linking Asia, Europe and North America.
