Shipping and logistics never slow down, and the past week delivered a mix of short-term relief and long-term caution for shippers. From falling ocean rates to airline consolidation and renewed warnings about capacity shortages, the message is clear: conditions may feel calmer right now, but volatility is baked into 2026.

We’ve pulled together the shipping stories that matter most, along with clear insights on what they mean for your operations, costs, and planning.

Here are the 5 key shipping stories this week and what they mean for shippers.

The Top 5 Shipping Stories This Week

1. Ocean Carriers Pull Back on February Rate Hikes as Spot Prices Slide

Major ocean carriers, including CMA CGM, have officially backed away from planned February 1 General Rate Increases (GRIs). This comes despite continued security concerns in the Red Sea.

Why the reversal? Weak global demand and a rush to move cargo ahead of Chinese New Year (Feb 17) have flooded the market with available space,  pushing spot rates down fast.

What’s happening on the water:

• Asia–Europe rates have dropped below $2,500 per FEU, with forecasts closer to $2,200
• U.S. West Coast rates are sliding toward $2,082 per FEU
• Mexico has seen one of the sharpest drops, with spot rates falling from $3,000 to under $1,000 per FEU

(FEU = Forty-Foot Equivalent Unit, a standard container size)

What It Means for Shippers

If you were expecting February rate hikes, this is welcome breathing room. For operations and logistics managers, this is a short-term opportunity to renegotiate spot rates or move delayed freight more affordably. Just don’t assume these prices will last. Post-holiday capacity tightening is still very much on the table.

2. Airline Merger Strengthens Amazon’s Air Cargo Network

Allegiant Air announced a $1 billion acquisition of Sun Country Airlines, a deal that may look leisure-focused on the surface, but has big implications for eCommerce logistics.

Sun Country is one of Amazon Air’s key partners, and Amazon confirmed it will expand, not reduce, its relationship with the newly combined airline.

Key logistics details:

• Amazon Air capacity will remain fully dedicated
• Sun Country is adding two additional freighters
• Total Amazon-dedicated fleet grows to 22 aircraft in 2026

What It Means for Shippers

For ecommerce directors and fulfillment managers, this is a sign of stability in the middle mile, the critical link between fulfillment centers and last-mile delivery. Even as airlines consolidate, Amazon is doubling down on guaranteed air capacity to protect Prime-speed delivery. That’s good news for brands selling on or alongside Amazon’s network.

3. IATA Warns Aircraft Shortages Will Keep Air Freight Tight Through 2026

At the Changi Aviation Summit, IATA Director General Willie Walsh delivered a blunt message: air cargo capacity is not bouncing back quickly.

While 2025 marked the low point, 2026 will be more of a slow rebound than a full recovery.

What’s driving the shortage:

• Delays in new aircraft deliveries
• Ongoing shortages of spare parts
• Limited ability for airlines to expand fleets

What It Means for Shippers

If your supply chain depends on air freight, especially for electronics, apparel, or high-value goods, don’t expect pre-pandemic pricing or easy access to capacity anytime soon. Supply Chain Directors should plan for continued tightness and explore alternatives like premium ocean services or sea-air combinations to balance cost and speed.

4. Maersk Adds Methanol-Powered Capacity to U.S. Gulf Trade Lanes

Maersk took delivery of the Tangier Mærsk, the first of six new 9,000 TEU “mid-size” vessels designed for cleaner fuel use.

These ships are equipped with dual-fuel engines capable of running on green methanol and are being deployed on the TP15 service, connecting East Asia to the U.S. Gulf Coast via the Panama Canal.

Why this matters operationally:

• Adds modern capacity outside congested West Coast ports
• Supports growing distribution hubs in the Southern U.S.
• Helps reduce emissions tied to long-haul ocean freight
  

What It Means for Shippers

For COOs and VP-level operators, this offers a more reliable Gulf Coast option with sustainability benefits built in. It’s especially attractive for companies expanding in Texas and the Southeast, and for enterprises tracking Scope 3 emissions as part of ESG commitments.

5. 2026 Logistics Outlook: Planning for Scarcity, Not Stability

A wave of industry reports released last week points to a defining theme for 2026: scarcity.

Between shifting trade policies, potential new tariffs, and ongoing capacity volatility across ocean and air, the days of “just-in-time at the lowest cost” are fading.

What analysts are seeing:

• More companies shifting to “just-in-case” inventory
• Persistent volatility in carrier capacity
• Tariff uncertainty driving route and sourcing changes

What It Means for Shippers

The competitive edge in 2026 won’t come from squeezing costs alone, it will come from resilience, flexibility, and visibility. Multi-carrier strategies, better data, and integrated logistics platforms like VESYL become essential tools in a market where availability matters as much as price.

The Bottom Line

Right now, shippers are getting a brief cost reprieve, especially on ocean freight. But underneath the surface, the same structural challenges remain: limited capacity, geopolitical risk, and a logistics environment where flexibility beats optimization.

For brands of any size, the takeaway is simple: use today’s breathing room to prepare for tomorrow’s constraints. Staying informed, diversifying options, and simplifying how you manage logistics will be critical as 2026 continues to unfold.