Since the start of Q2 2026, a number of major container carriers have simultaneously announced rate increases on the main trade lanes from Vietnam to North America, Europe and Oceania. This is a notable development for importers and exporters, especially at a time when margins are already under pressure.
1 Why Rates Are Climbing
Several factors are combining to push ocean freight rates up:
- Container equipment supply-demand imbalance at several major ports, driving up the cost of repositioning empty containers.
- Congestion and schedule adjustments caused by geopolitical factors, forcing vessels to take longer routes.
- Fuel costs and surcharges (BAF, peak-season surcharges) that move with world oil prices.
- Seasonal demand spikes ahead of the major shopping periods in Western markets.
2 What It Means for Importers and Exporters
Higher freight rates feed directly into product costs and into the competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses on international markets. For low-value, high-volume goods (agricultural produce, household goods and the like), logistics costs make up a significant share, so a rate swing can erode most of the margin. Longer transit times also raise working capital costs and the risk of late deliveries.
3 What CARIMEX Recommends
To limit the impact of rate volatility, businesses may want to consider:
- Booking early and looking at long-term rate contracts to stabilise costs.
- Optimising how cargo is loaded — switching flexibly between FCL and LCL, and consolidating shipments to make full use of container volume.
- Diversifying routes and carriers rather than depending on a single option.
- Using an end-to-end advisory service to stay current on sailing schedules, competitive rates and timely alternatives.
CARIMEX tracks freight rates and sailing schedules in real time. Get in touch for advice on optimising your costs or call +84 933 968 988.
