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Still unresolved hostilities in the Middle East, which affect fuel prices and transport movement by air and sea, continues to drive higher logistics costs and freight rates, according to the latest report from Dimerco
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In its Asia Pacific Freight report for May 2026, the global logistics service provider also noted that strong demand for AI technology and electronics are adding pressure on the already constrained cargo capacity
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For the air freight sector, jet fuel shortages and airspace restrictions are constraining capacity and tightening cargo space across Asia, especially on Asia–Europe routes
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In ocean cargo, market is mixed with fuel instability and carrier surcharges putting upward pressure on costs despite balanced capacity in some lanes
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Dimerco highlighted that the US Customs and Border Protection has launched an electronic filing of tariff refunds via the ACE Portal starting April 20, 2026
The still unresolved hostilities in the Middle East, which affect fuel prices and transport movement by air and sea, continues to drive higher logistics costs and freight rates, according to the latest report from Dimerco.
In its Asia Pacific Freight report for May 2026, the global logistics service provider also noted that strong demand for artificial intelligence (AI) technology and electronics are adding pressure on the already constrained cargo capacity.
For the air freight sector, jet fuel shortages and airspace restrictions are constraining capacity and tightening cargo space across Asia, especially on Asia–Europe routes.
In northeast Asia, which covers Taiwan and South Korea, high electronics and semiconductor demand continues to keep airfreight capacity tight and rates firm, the report said.
Capacity is tight for outbound air cargo from both Taipei and South Korea to the United States and within Asia, including India.
“Demand for traditional commodities is still relatively stable, but cost pressure is building across the board. With fuel surcharges rising and capacity tightening, shippers are having to plan earlier and manage costs much more carefully than before,” said Kathy Liu, Dimerco Express Group vice president for VP Global Sales and Marketing,
In ocean cargo, market is mixed with fuel instability and carrier surcharges putting upward pressure on costs despite balanced capacity in some lanes. Amid fuel cost volatility, carriers are actively pushing spot rates upward, with success on more active trade lanes. However, on softer lanes where demand remains subdued, rate increases continue to face downward pressure.
Congestion at transshipment hubs and European ports are also causing delays of up to a week, while uneven demand is keeping rates firmer on stronger trades and softer on weaker lanes.
Ted Chen, Dimerco Express Group director for Ocean Freight said, “The Persian Gulf situation is something we’re watching closely. Rising fuel costs at key bunker hubs, and the risk of shortages if conditions don’t improve, are already starting to shape how carriers adjust their rates and service networks moving forward.”
READ: Air, ocean freight continues to be choked by Middle East crisis
US tariff refunds
Meanwhile, Dimerco highlighted that the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has launched Phase 1 of the CAPE (Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries) system, enabling electronic filing of tariff refunds via the ACE Portal starting April 20, 2026.
“This marks a shift from passive refund expectations to an active filing process by importers and brokers,” it said, noting that only entries within 80 days post-liquidation qualify.
