Maersk goes from red to black

Global container shipping is experiencing significant tightening in 2026, with nearly 11% of the world's containership fleet waiting outside ports — the highest congestion level since 2022 — driven by the ongoing Red Sea crisis, Strait of Hormuz tensions, and surging teu-mile demand outpacing fleet supply. These disruptions are sustaining elevated freight rates and network instability, with Gulf crisis-related disruptions expected to persist at least into September 2026.