Air Cargo Spot Rates Soar 30% in April Amid Supply Challenges & Key Takeaways

Hello 👋

Welcome to your daily global trade newsletter.

To save you from jumping between multiple tabs, I have selected today’s most relevant news in global logistics, international trade, transport, customs, geopolitics, and international trends… for 05-13-2026. Condensed and ready for a quick read 🚀.

📋 Today’s Headlines:

• Air Cargo Spot Rates Soar 30% in April Amid Supply Challenges
• Court Upholds Trump’s 10% Tariffs Amid Ongoing Appeal Process
• Galicia Seizes Japan’s Market Potential to Boost International Business Growth
• Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan Achieve Landmark First in eTIR Transport Operations
• Brazil Secures $6.1 Billion from China by 2025: What Does It Mean for Spanish Foreign Trade?
• Maersk Warns of Congestion in European Terminals and Restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz Amid Middle East Conflict
• OkCargo Unveils Digital Control Document to Streamline Logistics Ahead of 2026 E-Documentation Mandate
• CTT Expresso and DHL eCommerce Forge Strategic Alliance to Create Iberia’s Most Comprehensive Delivery Network
• DHL Express Unveils Heavy Weight Express Service for Seamless Global Shipments
• Andalusia Urges State to Advocate for Effective Oversight of Food Imports from Brussels

📺 Today’s Analysis:

📦 Air Cargo & Logistics Trends

The air cargo sector has recently seen a significant uptick, with spot rates soaring by 30% in April, largely driven by ongoing supply challenges. This surge highlights the acute pressures faced by logistics providers, who are grappling with both demand surges and constrained capacity. The rise in air cargo costs has ramifications for global trade, impacting pricing strategies and delivery timelines for businesses dependent on rapid shipping solutions. Concurrently, the logistics company OkCargo has initiated a transformative approach in freight handling by launching a “Digital Control Document”. This innovation aims to streamline logistics in anticipation of the 2026 mandate on electronic documentation, indicating a shift towards more digitized processes that could alleviate some of the challenges currently faced in air freight transport.

Additionally, the European maritime landscape is witnessing its own set of challenges, as Maersk has sounded the alarm over increasing congestion at European terminals. This congestion can be attributed to numerous factors, including geopolitical instability, most notably the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has not only disrupted regional supply chains but also led to restrictions in the crucial Strait of Hormuz. The current fluctuations in air cargo rates and terminal congestion exemplify the interconnected nature of global logistics and the pressing need for adaptation and innovation in logistics strategies.