CEO ALERT
Drewry’s WCI reached $4,526 per 40-foot container, Shanghai-to-New York reached $9,507, and only seven tracked commodity vessels crossed Hormuz.
Executive Summary
Galaxy begins Friday with continued pressure from Transpacific freight, Middle East energy risk and active North American paperboard increases. Carrier capacity management and blank sailings continue to support Asia-to-U.S. rates.
The best negotiation opportunities remain weaker Chinese domestic demand, easing aluminum pressure and supplier increases that can be challenged by exact resin grade, producer and feedstock basis.
Key Market Signals
- World Container Index: $4,526 per 40-foot container, up 4% week over week.
- Shanghai to New York: $9,507 per 40-foot container, up 9%.
- Hormuz: seven tracked commodity-vessel crossings, with no VLCC or LNG tanker recorded.
- Seven blank sailings announced for the following week.
- Sabert opened a 300,000-square-foot distribution center in Georgia.
Recommended Actions
- Book critical Asia-to-New Jersey cargo early and secure space before rate.
- Separate base freight, fuel, Panama and war-risk charges.
- Reprice paperboard and PE-related SKUs and keep customer quotes short-validity.
- Tighten Vietnam BOM, origin and substantial-transformation documentation.
- Push aluminum and China suppliers for new cost concessions.
CEO BOTTOM LINE
Protect freight, paperboard and PE margins. Use aluminum relief and weak China demand as negotiation leverage.
Sources: Reuters, Drewry and Sabert Corporation, August 21, 2026.