Market Highlight 23.09.2026

Global container freight rates have risen sharply amid tightening shipping capacity and stronger demand. The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index increased for an eighth consecutive week, reaching 3.688 points on Friday, its highest level since July 2024. Drewry’s World Container Index for the spot rate of a 40-foot container from Shanghai to Los Angeles surged to 7.712 USD last week, the highest level since June 2022. The index previously peaked at 12.424 USD in September 2021. Meanwhile, air freight costs from Shanghai to New York also rose sharply to a four-year high of 10.394 USD, more than three times the level recorded in mid-February, just before the U.S began the war in Iran. Shipping companies are imposing additional surcharges on exporters to offset higher marine fuel costs resulting from the energy shock caused by tight supply in the Persian Gulf. In addition, shipping capacity has been constrained by cargo diversions from the Middle East and persistent delays at major Asian ports.

Crude oil prices fell by more than 2% to a two-week low after Iran proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the U.S eased military pressure. Iran and the U.S also signaled a possible resumption of negotiations to end the conflict, as the leaders of both countries are expected to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The USD edged higher on Tuesday but remained below the two-month high reached earlier this week, as markets assessed the interplay between easing oil prices and the possibility that the Federal Reserve (FED) may raise interest rates another one or two times.

Interbank USD/VND traded steadily around 26.015 on Tuesday. The SBV also raised the effective daily ceiling by a further VND 3 to 26.922.

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