The balance between capacity and demand in the ocean freight market is shifting again in 2026. Carrier alliances are increasing blank sailings, and that is pushing spot rates upward.
1. Blend contract and spot
Locking your entire volume into contract is as risky as leaving all of it on spot. We usually recommend keeping 60–70% on contract and the remainder on spot.
2. Extend your booking lead time
Confirming a booking 10–14 days before cut-off sharply reduces the risk of rollover and gives you room to negotiate a better rate.
3. Reconsider LCL consolidation
For smaller volumes, regular LCL consolidation is often cheaper than FCL — especially when your delivery schedule has some flexibility.
For a detailed analysis and a recommendation specific to your lane, get in touch with our team.
