As we move into February, global supply chains are shifting again, but this time, it’s not driven by crisis. It’s driven by market correction, capacity returns, and smarter strategic planning.
Across ocean, air, and road freight, February is defined by one thing:
- A stabilising global freight landscape, but one that still rewards those who plan ahead.
Here’s our February breakdown of what businesses need to know, based on our live shipments, customer trends, and global market data.
1. Ocean Freight 2026: Overcapacity Is Reshaping the Market
Ocean freight is entering a new era of oversupply, with carriers adding vessels faster than demand is recovering.
Rates are already dropping:
- Mediterranean long‑term contracts: –25% YoY
- North Europe long‑term contracts: –10% YoY
This shift creates opportunity but only if businesses lock in rates with a clear understanding of future volatility.
At IN Freight Solutions, we’re helping customers secure 2026 contracts that reflect today’s rates while protecting against tomorrow’s risks.
What this means for shippers:
✔ Lower rates across key trades
✔ More space availability
✔ Higher risk of schedule changes as carriers rebalance fleets
2. The Red Sea Reopening: Capacity Returns, Congestion Looms
After two years of diversions around the Cape of Good Hope, global carriers are returning to the Suez Canal.
This shift will release approximately 6% of global capacity back into circulation, a major factor in falling rates.
But short‑term challenges will follow:
- Port congestion (Europe especially)
- Irregular schedules as vessels reposition
- Temporary delays as networks stabilise
Our customers are already prepared through dynamic routing, proactive customs planning, and daily carrier monitoring.
3. Air Freight: The Steadier Option in an Unsteady Market
While ocean freight fluctuates, air freight enters 2026 in a rare phase of stability.
Demand is strong, capacity remains tight, and yields are holding strong.
At IN Freight Solutions, our recent movements include:
• 13‑pallet flights into Hong Kong
• Hazardous cargo requiring specialist repacking
• High‑value consignments into Osaka and Auckland
For time‑sensitive supply chains healthcare, tech, high‑value manufacturing, air remains the most reliable global mode.
4. Global Vessel Orders Now Stretch to 2028
Despite oversupply, global carriers are still investing heavily in new tonnage.
The orderbook now runs all the way to 2028.
Why this matters:
✔ Sustained downward pressure on ocean rates
✔ Greater vessel efficiency (but not immediately)
✔ Long‑term resilience built into the global fleet
For shippers, the message is clear: ocean costs will remain favourable, but planning must account for continued fluctuations as the fleet expands.
5. IN Freight Solutions Trade Lane Insights: Where Your Cargo Is Moving Most
Based on live customer shipments through Q4–January, our busiest global lanes include:
⭐ Chennai, India
⭐ Nansha, China
⭐ Jebel Ali, UAE
⭐ Hong Kong
⭐ Singapore & Port Kelang
⭐ Ireland
This global footprint reflects our growing customer base and the trust placed in us to deliver on complex and time‑critical movements.
6. Customer Education: Why CFR Is Often Misunderstood
CFR (Cost & Freight) is one of the most misinterpreted Incoterms and we see it every week.
Under CFR:
Seller pays: ocean freight
Buyer pays: insurance, local charges, port fees, delivery, clearance
We help customers calculate true landed cost, particularly for destinations where terminal and handling fees vary dramatically.
Knowledge saves money and removes surprises.
7. Heavy Cargo Spotlight: 24,000kg 20ft Containers
In the past few months, we’ve moved multiple 20ft containers loaded at 24,000kg each, primarily dense industrial materials.
That’s the equivalent of:
🐘 4 elephants
🚗 12 cars
💻 24,000 laptops
When shipments require precision, weight management, and safety compliance, we do it right, first time.
8. Destination Free Time: The Hidden Cost Saver
Many of our clients benefit from 10–14 days free time at destination, especially for ports like Jebel Ali, Nansha, and Chennai.
Why it matters:
✔ Reduces demurrage risk
✔ Supports slow or heavy unloading
✔ Protects your cash flow and profitability
Negotiating free time before loading is one of the simplest ways to avoid unexpected cost escalation.
9. Healthcare Logistics: A Growing IN Freight Solutions Specialism
From sterile medical packaging to hygiene products and medical consumables, healthcare freight demands accuracy and compliance.
Our recent movements include:
• Hong Kong
• Singapore
• Abu Dhabi
Our processes ensure the precision your customers expect every time.
10. Ireland — Our Highest‑Volume Road Route
Ireland continues to be one of our busiest road freight destinations with daily palletised consignments.
This route requires:
⚠ Tight customs accuracy
⚠ Precise ferry scheduling
⚠ Consistent DAP/DDP compliance
With daily volumes for clients, we’ve fine‑tuned this corridor for reliability.
11. Sustainability Note: Cape Diversions Raised CO₂ by 46%
During Red Sea diversions, global shipping emissions rose by 46% due to longer Cape of Good Hope routing.
Now, with Suez reopening, emissions are expected to gradually normalise but routing choices still carry environmental weight.
12. Hazardous & LQ — A Daily Part of Our Operations
We regularly handle:
• Class 3 UN1993
• Class 2.1 UN1950
• LQ (Limited Quantity)
Not all forwarders specialise in this, but for us it’s routine because safety and compliance are non‑negotiable.
13. Why More Mid‑Weight Cargo Is Moving to Air
As ocean instability continues through early 2026, many businesses are shifting 500–2,000kg shipments to air for reliability.
We are already moving mid‑weight cargo regularly into:
✈ Hong Kong
✈ Osaka
✈ Auckland
Sometimes speed isn’t the reason, certainty is.
14. We Have Shipped to 25+ Countries This Winter
From Iceland to Thailand, Moldova to Australia, IN Freight Solutions cargo has already reached over 25 countries in the past few months.
For a specialist, high‑care forwarding business, this global reach reflects the trust our clients place in us.
15. Lane Focus: UK → Jebel Ali
One of our most consistent export lanes sees regular 40ft HC shipments under CFR terms supported by long‑standing partnerships with Medite and Bronel.
Predictable schedules.
Strong carrier relationships.
Dependable results.
February Reflection: Built on Trust. Delivered With Care.
As we enter February, one message defines our approach:
Strategic freight solutions built on trust.
Trusted worldwide.
Delivered with care.
Whether it’s a 24‑tonne industrial load, a mid‑weight air shipment, or a time‑critical healthcare consignment our focus never changes:
✔ service
✔ honesty
✔ partnership
Here’s to a stable, opportunity‑rich February for global supply chains.
