SMARTcargo Daily Air Cargo Brief — August 13, 2026
Industry Pulse: China/HK-to-Europe tonnage fell a sixth week (WoW -5%/-3%) on new EU import rules, while transpacific demand holds firm on AI shipments (WorldACD).
Route Trends: Asia-Europe lanes keep softening on EU rules; transpacific to North America stays resilient; European outbound rebounded, Frankfurt spot up 19.8% WoW.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia-US): ~$6.00 (+6% MoM)
• Asia-Europe (HK-Europe): ~$4.96 (-15% since late June)
• Transatlantic: Europe-NA ~27% below late-Feb, more belly capacity
Global avg: $3.12/kg (-6% MoM, +28% YoY)
Jet A Watch: US Gulf Coast ~$3.57/gal (Jun, latest avail). Global jet fuel ~$147/bbl (-7.5% WoW, IATA). Fuel surcharges ~$0.45-$1.65/kg, carrier-dependent.
Top Story: New EU import rules (July 1) reshape Asia-Europe cargo, tonnage down a sixth week, rates softening as transpacific stays strong on AI shipments.
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Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)about 1 month ago
Industry Pulse: Global tonnage fell 4% WoW in early August but held +1% YoY; rates still 22% above last year (WorldACD). Capacity dipped 1% as the market cools into a soft peak season.
Route Trends: Asia–Europe rates firmed +1% WoW (China +6%, HK +3%); Asia–USA softened -3% WoW. China/HK–Europe tonnage down 6 straight weeks on new EU import rules.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$6.50 (off $7.00 peak, still +17% WoW)
• Asia–Europe: ~$4.45 (+8% WoW, China–Europe)
• Transatlantic: softening — EU–NA rates -27% vs late-Feb (July)
Global avg: $3.12/kg (+28% YoY, -6% MoM, July)
Jet A Watch: US avg $8.31/gal Aug (+$0.70 MoM, +$1.70 YoY). Global jet fuel ~$159/bbl (+8.2% WoW). Surcharges ~18-22% of AWB.
Top Story: Typhoon Dolphin slammed Shanghai/Beijing, triggering 1,000+ cancellations and straining Asia Pacific networks heading into peak season.
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Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)about 1 month ago
Industry Pulse: Global tonnage fell 4% WoW in early August but held 1% YoY in Week 32; rates stayed 22% above 2025 as capacity eased 1% (WorldACD).
Route Trends: Asia–Europe firmed (+1% WoW, China +6%) while Asia–US softened (-3% WoW). China/HK–Europe volumes fell a sixth straight week on new EU import rules; MESA rates slipped 1%.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$6.50 (down from $7.00+ prior week)
• Asia–Europe: ~$4.45 (WoW +1%, firming)
• Transatlantic: softening, ~27% below late-Feb levels
Global avg: $3.12/kg (+28% YoY, July)
Jet A Watch: US avg $8.31/gal Aug (MoM +$0.70). Global jet fuel ~$158.91/bbl (IATA, weekly). Fuel surcharges typically 8-15% of AWB.
Top Story: Hong Kong Air Cargo began dedicated freighter ops from Navi Mumbai Intl Airport on Aug 16 — first international carrier flying freighters from India's newest airport.
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Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)about 1 month ago
Industry Pulse: Global tonnage dipped 4% WoW, +1% YoY; rates still 22% above last year (WorldACD). Baltic Air Freight Index +0.2% WoW, +19.2% YoY, on fuel costs and Gulf tensions.
Route Trends: Peak charter demand stays muted. NE Asia firm on AI/chip freight; SE Asia and India soften. Transatlantic mixed — Chicago up, Frankfurt/Heathrow easing.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): Hong Kong firming (+3.4% WoW); $/kg n/a
• Asia–Europe: ~$3.86 China–Europe proxy (-29% MoM, Xeneta)
• Transatlantic: Chicago +3.0% WoW (+53.9% YoY)
Global avg: $3.12/kg (+28% YoY, -6% MoM)
Jet A Watch: US avg $8.31/gal (+$0.70 MoM). Global jet fuel ~$158.91/bbl, +8.2% WoW. Surcharges rising with fuel costs.
Top Story: Saudia Cargo launched a new Dhaka–Frankfurt freighter route; IAG Cargo expanded pharma logistics amid softer broader volumes.
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Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)about 1 month ago
Industry Pulse: Global chargeable weight slipped -1% WoW (Asia Pacific -2%, N. America -3%; Europe/MESA +1%). Spot rates keep unwinding from their spring peak (WorldACD).
Route Trends: China/HK-to-Europe tonnage fell a sixth straight week under new EU import rules (July 1); Middle East lanes still carry a steep conflict-driven premium.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia-US): ~$6.68 (-2% WoW, +37% YoY)
• Asia-Europe: ~$4.82 (-5% WoW, +17% YoY)
• Transatlantic: Europe-N. America softening, ~27% below late-Feb peak
Global avg: $3.12/kg (-6% MoM, +28% YoY)
Jet A Watch: US avg $8.31/gal in August (+$0.70 MoM). Global jet fuel ~$147/bbl (-7.5% WoW). Fuel surcharges n/a, elevated.
Top Story: New EU import rules since July 1 have driven six weeks of falling China/HK-to-Europe tonnage, deepening a broader rate slide amid weak peak-season charter demand (WorldACD, Xeneta).
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Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)about 1 month ago
Industry Pulse: Global air freight rates eased 0.2% (wk to Aug 10) but remain 16.9% higher YoY; cooling Hormuz tensions eased jet fuel pressure (TAC Index).
Route Trends: China–Europe volumes fell a sixth straight week on new EU import rules; Transpacific held resilient on AI/tech demand amid Middle East-driven network shifts.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$5.75 (proxy, firming WoW)
• Asia–Europe: ~$4.96 (HK–Europe, WorldACD, -15% since late June)
• Transatlantic: softening (summer belly capacity pressuring rates)
Global avg: $3.12/kg (+28% YoY, -6% MoM)
Jet A Watch: US avg $8.31/gal Aug (+$0.70 MoM, +$1.70 YoY). Global jet fuel ~$147/bbl (-7.5% WoW). Fuel surcharges ~15-25% of AWB (est.).
Top Story: Istanbul Airport has become Europe's busiest cargo airport, absorbing volumes rerouted around the Iran conflict.
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Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)about 1 month ago
Industry Pulse: China/HK-to-Europe tonnage fell a sixth week (WoW -5%/-3%) on new EU import rules, while transpacific demand holds firm on AI shipments (WorldACD).
Route Trends: Asia-Europe lanes keep softening on EU rules; transpacific to North America stays resilient; European outbound rebounded, Frankfurt spot up 19.8% WoW.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia-US): ~$6.00 (+6% MoM)
• Asia-Europe (HK-Europe): ~$4.96 (-15% since late June)
• Transatlantic: Europe-NA ~27% below late-Feb, more belly capacity
Global avg: $3.12/kg (-6% MoM, +28% YoY)
Jet A Watch: US Gulf Coast ~$3.57/gal (Jun, latest avail). Global jet fuel ~$147/bbl (-7.5% WoW, IATA). Fuel surcharges ~$0.45-$1.65/kg, carrier-dependent.
Top Story: New EU import rules (July 1) reshape Asia-Europe cargo, tonnage down a sixth week, rates softening as transpacific stays strong on AI shipments.
Brought to you by SMARTcargo — smarter air cargo, every day.
#SMARTcargo #AirCargo #Logistics #Freight #JetFuel #SupplyChain
Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)about 1 month ago
Industry Pulse: Global spot rates averaged $3.41/kg in July, -8% MoM but +29% YoY, as capacity growth outpaces demand (WorldACD).
Route Trends: Asia–Europe keeps softening — China–W.Europe down 22% MoM to $4.15/kg, sixth straight week of falling China/HK–Europe tonnage. Transpacific holds firmer (+33% vs late-Feb); Middle East stays elevated on conflict rerouting.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$5.91 (+33% vs late-Feb)
• Asia–Europe: ~$4.15 (-22% MoM)
• Transatlantic: ~$2.50–4.20 (fuel-surcharge driven, n/a weekly)
Global avg: $3.41/kg (+29% YoY)
Jet A Watch: Global jet fuel ~$159/bbl. US retail last ~$8.63/gal (n/a Aug MoM). Carriers hiking August surcharges as fuel runs ~33% above last month.
Top Story: EU air cargo demand keeps falling under stricter import rules, even as Middle East reroutes and freighter values (747-400s +100% QoQ) show tight capacity elsewhere.
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Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)about 1 month ago
Industry Pulse: Global air freight rates rose 1.3% WoW (Baltic Air Freight Index, w/e Aug 3), ending 5 weeks of declines, up 19.6% YoY, as Transpacific strength offset Asia-Europe softness (TAC Index).
Route Trends: China-Europe rates keep sliding post EU de minimis change; Transpacific-US firms on AI/chip demand. Middle East lanes stay volatile on Gulf tensions, South Asia-ME rates sharply higher since February.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia-US): ~$4.50 (firming WoW)
• Asia-Europe: ~$3.00 (softening WoW)
• Transatlantic: ~$3.35 (Frankfurt +19.8% WoW)
Global avg: $3.12/kg (+28% YoY, growth easing)
Jet A Watch: Jet fuel ~33% higher MoM after Persian Gulf hostilities; IATA sees 2026 avg ~$152/bbl. Carriers layering August surcharge hikes; exact AWB % n/a.
Top Story: Iran-Gulf tensions and an on-off US-Iran ceasefire keep fuel volatile as carriers eye an August rate spike.
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Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)about 1 month ago
Industry Pulse: Global airfreight tonnage slipped -2% WoW, a second soft week, as pricing edged up +1% on flat capacity (WorldACD).
Route Trends: China-USA tonnage rose +1% WoW, turning YoY-positive (+5%) for the first time since April, while China-Europe volumes fell a fourth straight week — exporters rebalancing toward the US amid new tariffs.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia-US): ~$5.91 (+9% WoW)
• Asia-Europe: stable WoW, -3% YoY ($/kg n/a — WorldACD)
• Transatlantic: ~$3.30 (benchmark, steady)
Global avg: ~$3.12/kg (+28% YoY, July)
Jet A Watch: US retail n/a (IATA release pending). Global jet fuel ~$155-159/bbl, up MoM; surcharges climbing as costs run ~33% above last month.
Top Story: An armed drone incident forced a flight suspension at Germany's Leipzig-Halle airport, a key cargo/military hub — underscoring rising security risk to freight infrastructure.
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Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)about 2 months ago
Industry Pulse: Global tonnage slipped ~3% WoW as Asia Pacific fell 5%, capacity held tighter at -1%. Baltic Air Freight Index rose 1.3% WoW, now 19.6% above last year (WorldACD/BAI).
Route Trends: China-Europe rates keep softening post-EU de minimis change; Transpacific-to-US strengthened. Frankfurt outbound surged 19.8% WoW (+32.1% YoY) on broader EU exports.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia-US): ~$4.50 (range $3.50-5.50, firming)
• Asia-Europe: ~$5.20 (HKG-FRA proxy, steady)
• Transatlantic: ~$3.35 (range $2.50-4.20, fuel-driven)
Global avg: $3.12/kg (+28% YoY, -6% MoM)
Jet A Watch: Global jet fuel ~$159/bbl (IATA). US Jet-A retail near $6.50/gal. Fuel surcharges running 8-14% of AWB.
Top Story: A drone carrying explosives was found in Leipzig Airport's cargo area this week; a DHL freighter was struck by an unidentified object after takeoff, sharpening EU cargo security scrutiny.
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