DHL's latest market reports show Asia Pacific remains the engine of global freight growth, but tightening capacity and early peak-season demand are pushing rates higher. Global air freight spot rates average $3.67/kg, up 48% year-on-year, while ocean freight rates are up 24% YoY and more than 80% above Q1 levels per the SCFI. Air cargo demand rose 5% YoY in April, with Asia accounting for half of global volumes and growing 8%. Ocean freight demand is up 4% year-to-date, but effective capacity remains constrained by congestion, rerouting and longer transit times, which take about 17% of usable capacity out of the system. DHL expects demand to remain resilient with dynamic e-commerce, technology shipments, and supply chain diversification driving continued growth.
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