While demand is softening on the westbound trade lane, carriers continue to withdraw capacity, resulting in slow but steady rate gains through August on routes out of North Europe and the Mediterranean.
Vessels deployed on MSC’s India-Europe “Himalaya Express” service will return to the traditional, shorter route effective with a late-August voyage; the carrier’s five other Asia-Europe strings will follow.
The RXO Curve index shows renewed pressure on spot and contract truckload rates as shippers take more business to bid in late 2026 and fuel costs remain volatile.
