Good morning,
This week brings a mixed picture. Ocean spot rates from the Far East to Northern Europe have eased but remain well above their February level. UK manufacturing export orders have also improved, while a specialist charter from East Midlands shows the role regional airports can play in moving urgent industrial cargo.
This week in three lines
✈️ Air: An 8.4-tonne industrial gas turbine moved from East Midlands Airport to Kazakhstan on a Boeing 747 freighter.
🚢 Ocean: Far East to North Europe spot rates fell 2.8% in a week but remain 116% above their level at the end of February.
🏭 Sectors: The balance of UK manufacturers reporting export orders above and below normal reached zero for the first time since June 2022.
The lead story
Asia-Europe rates ease but remain far above February
What happened?
Xeneta’s market data for 21 August placed the average spot rate from the Far East to Northern Europe at $4,801 per 40ft container.
That represented a 2.8% reduction from 14 August. Far East to Mediterranean rates also declined, falling 3.8% to $5,526.
However, the longer-term comparison is more striking. Far East to North Europe spot rates remained 116% higher than on 28 February 2026.
Long-term contracted rates on the lane were also 50% above their February level, averaging $2,879 per FEU.
Why it matters
The weekly decline provides some relief, but it does not represent a return to normal market conditions.
Importers may begin to see more competitive offers as the spot market softens. However, the scale of the increase since February means freight budgets remain under pressure.
The difference between spot and long-term rates is also significant. Businesses moving consistent volume may be paying very different prices depending on when their agreements were negotiated, the service selected and the strength of their allocation.
Who could be affected
The movement is particularly relevant to UK businesses importing from China and the wider Far East, including:
Consumer and retail businesses
Automotive suppliers
Electronics companies
Furniture and homeware importers
Engineering and manufacturing businesses
Food and drink companies
The market has softened slightly, but rates remain significantly above their February level.
Airfreight watch ✈️
East Midlands handles specialist 747F industrial movement
The development
AIR ONE and Proactive Logistic Solutions arranged the transport of an industrial gas turbine from the UK to Aktau in Kazakhstan.
The shipment measured more than four metres in length and weighed over 8,400kg. It travelled from Aberdeen to East Midlands Airport before being loaded onto a Boeing 747-400 freighter operated by UK carrier One Air.
The movement supported a specialist gas-turbine maintenance, repair and overhaul operation.
Why it matters
This was a single project movement rather than a general capacity announcement, but it demonstrates the specialist air-cargo capability available outside Heathrow.
Large industrial components can be difficult to accommodate on scheduled services because of their dimensions, weight and loading requirements. Nose-loading freighters such as the 747 can therefore remain essential for urgent, out-of-gauge cargo.
These movements require coordination across road transport, airport handling, load planning, export documentation and final delivery.
Sectors affected
Energy and engineering
Advanced manufacturing
Aerospace and MRO
Mining and industrial services
Also in ocean freight 🚢
Transatlantic rates remain broadly stable
Xeneta recorded a 0.1% weekly increase from Northern Europe to the US East Coast, placing the average spot rate at $2,734 per FEU.
This compares with the weekly reductions recorded on the main export routes from Asia to Europe.
The figures show that ocean pricing is not moving uniformly. A reduction on one trade route does not necessarily mean the entire container market is falling.
The transatlantic spot rate also remained 85% above its level at the end of February.
Sector spotlight
UK manufacturing export orders improve sharply
What has changed?
The CBI’s latest Industrial Trends Survey found that UK manufacturing order books improved during August following a difficult period between April and July.
The total order-book balance rose from -45% in July to -25% in August. Although orders remain below normal, this was the least negative result since November 2024.
The export-order balance improved from -33% in July to 0% in August. This means the balance of manufacturers reporting export orders above and below normal reached zero for the first time since June 2022.
The improvement was led by chemicals, electrical goods and other manufacturing.
Why it matters for freight
Improving export orders can eventually create additional demand for air and ocean capacity, export customs declarations, specialist packaging and inland collections.
However, the findings should be treated cautiously. Manufacturing output continued to fall in the three months to August, although at a slower rate than in July. Twelve of the 17 surveyed sub-sectors reported falling output.
The figures therefore point to improving order books, not a fully established recovery.
Manufacturers also expect selling-price inflation to increase. This could place further pressure on businesses already managing higher energy, material and freight costs.
Sectors involved
Chemicals
Electrical goods and electronics
Metal products
Food and drink
General manufacturing
Market pulse
Market | Current signal | What it means |
|---|---|---|
Far East to North Europe | Softening from a high base | Spot rates fell 2.8% but remain 116% above 28 February |
North Europe to US East Coast | Stable week on week | Spot rates increased by only 0.1% |
UK manufacturing exports | Improving | The CBI export-order balance reached zero |
Outsize UK airfreight | Specialist capability evident | A UK-operated 747F supported an urgent industrial movement |
These are general market signals based on publicly available information. They are not formal freight quotations or forecasts.
A note from Jack
The ocean-rate figures stood out to me this week. A 2.8% reduction sounds encouraging, but the comparison with February shows how much pressure remains in the market.
The improvement in UK export orders is also welcome, particularly after several difficult months for manufacturers. It is too early to call it a recovery, but it is a development worth following.
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Jack Fitzmaurice
Founder, The Monday Freight Brief
The views expressed are my own and do not represent my employer. This publication is based on publicly available information and is provided for general industry insight. It should not be treated as legal, regulatory or financial advice.