📌 Weekly Logistics Highlights (April 18–24, 2026)

This week, global logistics networks showed tentative signs of stabilization as the US-Iran ceasefire entered its third week, though Strait of Hormuz traffic remained approximately 94% below pre-crisis levels with only 6–10 vessels transiting daily under Iranian-controlled corridors. US-China tariff tensions escalated further as both nations implemented additional trade restrictions, while air cargo rates to the Middle East eased modestly from earlier peaks. China's green shipping initiatives continued expanding, with methanol bunkering reaching new highs across major ports. South Korean transshipment volumes remained elevated amid ocean carrier network adjustments, and US West Coast ports reported April volumes holding steady despite tariff uncertainty and energy cost pressures.

China

Hong Kong, China

🔹 HK Green Shipping Fund Cumulative Disbursements Reach HK$3.8 Billion, Fifth Batch Under Review (Apr 22)

Hong Kong's Marine Department opened the fifth round of Green Shipping Fund applications as cumulative disbursements reached HK$3.8 billion across 73 approved projects. The latest batch includes eight methanol vessel retrofits and six shore power installations, with the department targeting completion of the review by July 2026. Officials confirmed that the fund has now attracted interest from 28 international shipping lines, accelerating Hong Kong's 2030 decarbonization target.

🔹 HKIA Cargo Volumes Hold at 450,000 Tons, Pharmaceutical Shipments Up 22% Week-on-Week (Apr 23)

Hong Kong International Airport maintained cargo handling volumes at 450,000 tons this week, with transshipment demand from Southeast Asia to North America remaining robust. Pharmaceutical shipments utilizing expanded cool chain facilities increased 22% week-on-week, reinforcing Hong Kong's role as a global air cargo hub amid ongoing sea route disruptions. Night slot utilization for freighters remained above 85% as carriers cleared steady backlogs.

Shenzhen, China

🔹 Yantian Port Methanol Bunkering Reaches 14 Weekly Operations, Monthly Supply Hits 7,000 Tons (Apr 20)

Shenzhen Yantian Port expanded green methanol bunkering operations to 14 per week, servicing an increasing number of Asia-Europe liner vessels and four Middle East services. Monthly methanol supply surpassed 7,000 tons in April, reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 5,400 tons since March 1. The port signed a fifth long-term supply agreement with a global energy trader to stabilize pricing through 2029, positioning Yantian as a leading green fuel hub.

🔹 Shenzhen Reports 26% Export Growth in Q1, Cross-Border E-Commerce Volumes Surge 35% (Apr 21)

Shenzhen's exports maintained 26% year-on-year growth in the first quarter of 2026, driven by new energy vehicles, electronics, and cross-border e-commerce. The city's logistics sector handled 2.02 million TEUs in Q1, up 22% from the same period last year. Logistics providers reported a 50% increase in warehousing space bookings in Dubai and Riyadh as sellers continued adopting ”overseas warehouse“ strategies to mitigate shipping delays.

Guangzhou, China

🔹 Nansha Port NEV Exports Hit 22,000 Vehicles in April, Fifth Weekly Middle East Ro-Ro Added (Apr 19)

Guangzhou Nansha Port added a fifth weekly Middle East Ro-Ro service, responding to sustained NEV export demand that reached 22,000 vehicles in April. The service now handles 7,500 vehicles per week to Jeddah and Dubai, with automated loading systems reducing port stay to under eight hours. Nansha's NEV exports through April represented a 47% increase month-on-month, supported by new manufacturing capacity in the Pearl River Delta.

🔹 Guangzhou Airport Launches Second Daily Middle East Freighter, Cargo Volume Up 32% (Apr 24)

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport launched a second daily freighter service to the Middle East, operated by SF Airlines to Dubai and Riyadh. Weekly cargo volume to the region increased 32% week-on-week, with electronics and pharmaceuticals accounting for 67% of shipments. Spot air freight rates eased slightly to $5.00–6.10/kg for general cargo, with priority cool chain shipments commanding $8.00–10.00/kg as additional capacity entered the market.

Shanghai, China

🔹 COSCO Reports 94% Utilization on Cape Route Services, War-Risk Surcharges Extended Through May (Apr 22)

COSCO Shipping reported 94% utilization on its 14 Asia-Middle East services rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope, with bookings extending through July. Transit times remained 8–10 days above normal, with Jeddah and Salalah handling 55% of Gulf-bound cargo for feeder transshipment. War-risk surcharges were extended through May at $1,500–2,000/20GP and $3,000–4,000/40HC, with freight rates stabilizing 35% above pre-crisis levels.

🔹 Yangshan Port Completes Full 5G Automation Across All 42 Berths, Two Months Ahead of Schedule (Apr 18)

Shanghai's Yangshan Deep Water Port completed expansion of 5G-enabled remote crane operations to all 42 berths, covering 100% of terminal capacity two months ahead of the September target. The system now allows a single operator to control up to ten cranes simultaneously, improving peak efficiency by 35% and reducing manual intervention by 55%. The port aims to integrate AI predictive maintenance by Q1 2027.

Tianjin, China

🔹 Tianjin Port Green Corridor Reaches 52% of Traffic, On Track for 60% by Year-End (Apr 23)

Tianjin Port's green shipping corridor now covers 52% of total port traffic, with 100 LNG- and methanol-powered vessels using the facility this week. The port completed 50 additional shore power connections, bringing the total to 200. Monthly carbon emissions reduced by an estimated 6,000 tons in April, supporting Northern China's sustainable port development goals, with the port aiming to achieve 60% green corridor coverage by December 2026.

🔹 Tianjin Binhai Airport Adds Seventh Weekly Middle East Freighter, Auto Components Lead (Apr 21)

Tianjin Binhai International Airport increased cargo flights to Jeddah to seven weekly, responding to sustained demand for auto parts and electronics. B747 freighters now provide weekly capacity of 2,100 tons, with transit times under 10 hours. The expanded service handles approximately 45% of Tianjin's air cargo to the Gulf region, alleviating pressure on sea routes affected by Hormuz disruptions as NEV exports continue growing.

Qingdao, China

🔹 Qingdao Port Completes 25 Weekly Green Bunkering Operations, Doubling Q1 Volumes (Apr 24)

Qingdao Port completed 25 green methanol and LNG bunkering operations this week, supplying over 3,000 tons of alternative fuels. The port offered berthing discounts totaling RMB 5 million to eco-friendly vessels in April. Bunkering volume doubled from Q1 levels, positioning Qingdao as Northern China's largest green fuel supply hub, with plans to add two new methanol storage tanks by Q3 2026.

🔹 Qingdao–Osaka Cargo Flights Expand to Seven Weekly, Seafood Exports Drive Growth (Apr 20)

Qingdao Airlines expanded its Qingdao–Osaka cargo service to seven weekly flights, responding to strong demand for electronics and fresh seafood products. B737-800BCF freighters now provide weekly capacity of 1,050 tons, with dedicated cool chain lanes ensuring temperature control. The expanded service supports growing trade between Shandong Province and Japan's Kansai region, with seafood exports up 25% month-on-month.

Vietnam

🔹 Haiphong Port Throughput Up 30% in April, Electronics Exports Surge 28% (Apr 19)

Haiphong Port handled 720,000 TEUs in the first three weeks of April, on track for 30% monthly growth. Electronics and textile exports to the U.S. and EU rose 28%, supported by 24/7 port operations and streamlined customs procedures. Average container dwell time held at 2.2 days, down 63% from pre-crisis levels, as Vietnam continued benefiting from supply chain diversification away from disrupted routes.

🔹 Vietnam Approves First Two ICD Projects Under $2 Billion Plan, Foreign Investment Commitments Received (Apr 22)

Vietnam's Ministry of Transport approved the first two inland container depot projects under the recently unveiled $2 billion logistics infrastructure plan. The Cai Mep ICD expansion and Tan Cang-Moc Bai facility received investment commitments from Japanese and South Korean partners totaling $450 million. The government aims to break ground by Q3 2026, targeting a 15% reduction in logistics costs by 2030 and positioning Vietnam as a regional transshipment hub.

South Korea

Busan, South Korea

🔹 Busan Port Transshipment Volume Hits 700,000 TEUs Weekly, Q1 Volumes Up 22% Year-on-Year (Apr 18)

Busan Port's weekly transshipment volume reached 700,000 TEUs, up 25% from late March and setting a new record for the seventh consecutive week. The port added 15 cranes and extended operating hours to handle the surge, with on-time performance holding at 96%. Semiconductor shipments through the dedicated ”Chip Express“ lane increased 42% week-on-week, supporting South Korean tech manufacturers amid sustained global demand.

🔹 Busan Port Authority Launches AI Integration Pilot Across All Terminals, Targeting 30% Efficiency Gain (Apr 21)

The Busan Port Authority expanded its Microsoft AI predictive logistics system pilot to all five major terminals following successful initial tests showing 15% efficiency gains. The machine learning system analyzes vessel schedules, weather data, and real-time congestion to reduce waiting times. Full AI integration is scheduled for rollout by Q1 2027, targeting 30% overall port efficiency improvement and positioning Busan as Northeast Asia's smartest port.

Incheon, South Korea

🔹 Incheon Airport Air Cargo to Middle East Sustains 38% Increase, Cool Chain Capacity Expanded (Apr 23)

Incheon International Airport sustained a 38% weekly increase in air cargo volume to the Middle East, with five weekly flights to Jeddah and Dubai operating at full capacity. High-value electronics and pharmaceuticals comprised 75% of shipments. The airport's cool chain facilities processed 40% more pharmaceutical shipments than March, maintaining transit times under 9 hours as the airport completed a new 5,000-square-meter temperature-controlled warehouse.

🔹 Incheon Port Smart Platform Processes 15,000 TEUs in First Two Months, Integration with Busan Underway (Apr 20)

Incheon Port's smart logistics platform processed over 15,000 TEUs in its first two months of operation, serving 450 logistics companies. The platform reduced documentation processing time by 58% and improved supply chain visibility for 96% of users. The port accelerated integration with Busan's system, with unified digital network testing scheduled for Q3 2026 and full operation targeted for Q1 2027.

United States

🔹 CAPE Refund Portal Opens for $166 Billion in Tariff Claims, 60,000 Importers Register (Apr 20)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection launched the CAPE refund system on April 20 as scheduled, allowing importers to file claims for approximately $166 billion in tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court as unlawful. Over 60,000 importers completed registration within the first 48 hours, with initial refunds expected to be disbursed within 30–60 days. The White House confirmed that the temporary 10% tariff review period remains at 180 days, with further Section 301 investigations pending.

🔹 Port of Los Angeles April Volumes Hold at 750,000 TEUs, Rail Dwell Time Remains 3 Days (Apr 22)

The Port of Los Angeles handled approximately 750,000 TEUs in the first three weeks of April, sustaining volumes comparable to March levels despite tariff uncertainty. Twenty-four automated cranes and extended gates maintained truck turn times under 58 minutes. The port's rail ramp processed 40,000 containers, with dwell time holding at three days. Executive Director Gene Seroka noted that China still represents approximately 39% of the port's business despite ongoing trade tensions.

Bangladesh

🔹 Chittagong Port Dwell Time Holds at 3.8 Days, New Mooring Terminal Operator Bidding Closes (Apr 19)

Chittagong Port sustained operations at 130% capacity with 40 additional cranes and extended hours clearing textile machinery ahead of peak garment production season. Container dwell time improved to 3.8 days, down from 12 days in February and 4 days in March. Bidding for foreign operators to manage the New Mooring Container Terminal closed this week, with six international terminal operators submitting proposals for the December 2026 handover target.

🔹 Bangladesh Railway Expands Dhaka–Chittagong Container Trains to 18 Daily, Transit Time Cut to 5.5 Hours (Apr 21)

Bangladesh Railway expanded its daily container train service between Dhaka ICD and Chittagong Port to 18 trains per day, each carrying 60 TEUs. Transit time improved to 5.5 hours, 55% faster than road transport. The service has reduced highway congestion by an estimated 25% and cut logistics costs by 24% for garment exporters, supporting just-in-time production needs amid strong export demand for the fall-winter season.

Myanmar

🔹 Yangon Port Imports from China Up 38% in April, Clearance Times Hold at 17 Hours (Apr 23)

Yangon Port reported a 38% monthly increase in imports from China in April, driven by consumer goods, electronics, and construction materials. The port's simplified ”four-document“ verification and bilingual pre-declaration portal maintained average clearance times of 17 hours. Cross-border trade volumes remained strong as Myanmar's economy continued post-holiday recovery, with 55 container vessel calls scheduled for April.

🔹 Myanmar Railways Launches Special Parcel Trains on Yangon–Mawlamyine Route, Capacity Increased (Apr 18)

Myanmar Railways launched special parcel train services on the Yangon–Mawlamyine route, with each train capable of carrying 300 tonnes of cargo. The service mainly transports rice, pulses, and construction materials, easing daytime highway congestion. The railway also resumed night freight services on the Mandalay–Yangon route at 14 daily trips following Thingyan holiday disruptions, supporting agricultural supply chains and domestic trade.

Middle East

Red Sea & Strait of Hormuz (April 18–24, 2026)

🔹 Hormuz Transit Remains 94% Below Pre-Crisis Levels, Ceasefire Holds but No Normalization

Commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained approximately 94% below pre-crisis levels, with only 6–10 vessels transiting daily under tight Iranian supervision as the US-Iran ceasefire entered its third week. About 3,150 vessels remained stranded west of the strait, including nearly 780 tankers and cargo ships. Major carriers maintained suspension of direct bookings to Gulf ports, with rerouting around Africa now fully embedded across all mainline services.

🔹 Iranian-Controlled Corridor Continues Operations, Transit Charges Reported at $1.5–2 Million Per Vessel

The narrow northern corridor along the Iranian coastline continued operating under monitoring by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, with Iran reportedly imposing transit charges between $1.5 million and $2 million per vessel. Some payments continue to be requested in Chinese yuan, according to shipping sources. Three additional tankers transited westbound this week, but commercial container traffic remained virtually absent as carriers deemed the route too risky and costly.

🔹 Egypt–Saudi Logistics Corridor Advances with First Regular Scheduled Service from Trieste to Damietta

Egypt and Saudi Arabia advanced their joint logistics corridor project with the first regular scheduled service routing cargo from Europe's Port of Trieste to Egypt's Port of Damietta, then overland to Port of Safaga on the Red Sea before shipment to Gulf markets through Saudi ports. Hundreds of tonnes of refrigerated and dry cargo moved through the corridor this week, with transit times of 12–14 days compared to 30–35 days via the Cape of Good Hope route.

🔹 Air Cargo to Gulf Remains 35% Above Pre-Crisis Levels, Rates Continue Gradual Easing

Air cargo capacity to the Gulf region held 35% above pre-disruption levels, down from peak surge levels, as additional freighter services from China and Europe entered operation. Spot air freight rates eased to $4.00–5.00/kg for general cargo, with priority shipments (electronics, pharma) commanding $7.00–9.00/kg. Southeast Asia to Europe rates pulled back approximately 12% from recent peaks, though analysts noted that full recovery to pre-conflict levels could take another four to six weeks.

Share this article :