On September 4, 2026, China Central Television's Finance Channel reported on rising sea freight rates, warning that some Middle East shipping routes have become extremely tight and that freight rates on certain routes have climbed more than 50 percent year on year.
Yiwu freight forwarders have responded by adjusting their products and packaging, optimizing transportation modes, and using alternative routes to keep exports stable. Industry experts say container shortages, port congestion and rising fuel costs are the main drivers of the rate increase.
The report also noted that Yiwu's merchants are increasingly using multi-modal transportation, including rail and land routes, to mitigate the impact of volatile sea freight. Some firms have shifted to direct rail services via the China-Europe Railway Express to reach Middle East and European destinations.
Analysts said the trend reflects a broader structural shift in global logistics, with small-commodity exporters in Yiwu having to adopt more flexible and diversified supply-chain strategies to remain competitive.
Source: CCTV Finance / Yiwu Daily
