Evergreen Marine, Yang Ming Marine Transport, and Wan Hai Lines have each released their September 2026 revenue figures, with all three carriers reporting year-on- year revenue growth for the month and third-quarter year-on-year in- creases surpassing 50%. The results reflect the continued strength of container shipping market conditions, underpinned by elevated freight rates and sustained cargo volumes.
Wan Hai Lines recorded September revenue ahead of Yang Ming and posted the highest third-quarter revenue growth rate among the three carriers.
Evergreen Marine generated operating revenue of NT$49.71 billion (approximately US$1.57 billion) in September 2026, representing a year-on-year increase of 63.8% and a month-on-month increase of 1.5%.
For the first three quarters of 2026, cumulative operating revenue reached NT$338.45 billion (approximately US$10.67 billion), up 15.4% year-on-year.
Third- quarter cumulative revenue stood at NT$146.78 billion (approximately US$4.63 billion), a year-on- year increase of 51.4%.
Yang Ming Marine recorded operating revenue of NT$21.70 billion (approximately US$680 million) in September 2026, up 69.9% year-on-year and broadly flat month-on-month.
Cumulative operating revenue for the first three quarters of 2026 reached NT$148.73 billion (approximately US$4.69 billion), up 17.8% year- on-year.
Third-quarter cumulative revenue totalled NT$64.15 billion (approximately US$2.02 billion), reflecting a year-on-year increase of 52.4%.
Wan Hai Lines reported operating revenue of NT$21.78 billion (approximately US$690 million) in September 2026, a year-on-year increase of 97.6% and a month- on-month increase of 13.4%.
For the first three quarters of 2026, cumulative operating revenue reached NT$136.16 billion (approximately US$4.29 billion), up 27.3% year-on-year.
Third-quarter cumulative revenue amounted to NT$59.61 billion (approximately US$1.88 billion), representing a year-on-year increase of 70.2% – the highest growth rate among the three carriers.
Across all three carriers, third- quarter revenue growth reflects the continued strength of container shipping market fundamentals, with freight rates remaining at elevated levels and cargo demand providing consistent support.
Wan Hai Lines’ September revenue surpassing that of Yang Ming, combined with its leading third-quarter growth rate, underscores the continued momentum of its intra-Asia and regional route network.
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd Relaunch FMI Service, Strengthening Asia-Middle East Connectivity
Maersk has announced that it will relaunch the FM1 service under the Gemini Cooperation alliance in partnership with Hapag- Lloyd, further reinforcing maritime connectivity between Asia and the Middle East.
The service rotation covers Qingdao – Ningbo – Tanjung Pelepas – Khor Fakkan – Singapore – Qingdao.
The inaugural voyage of the relaunched FM1 service will be operated by the vessel Maersk Athabasca, Voyage 642W, scheduled to depart Qingdao on 17 October and arrive at Khor Fakkan on 16 November.
The FMI service connects Asia’s major export gateways with Khor Fakkan, a strategically significant port on the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates along the Gulf of Oman.
Vessels calling at Khor Fakkan are not required to transit the Strait of Hormuz, affording geographic advantage that mitigates the risks associated with Hormuz passage.
the relaunch of the FM1 service expands direct ocean freight options to Khor Fakkan for shippers, advancing connectivity between Asia and the Upper Gulf region.
Operations on this corridor had previously been adjusted in response to security conditions in the Middle East, and the relaunch represents a staged restoration of Gemini Cooperation’s service deployment in the region.
Maersk has confirmed that the necessary security protocols will continue to be enforced across its Middle East operations, with existing booking restrictions and cargo acceptance conditions remaining in effect. Maersk’s current landside services are expected to operate in coordination with the FM1 service to support cargo delivery into the Upper Gulf.
Both Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have emphasised their commitment to monitoring security developments in the Middle East closely; any adjustments to Gemini Cooperation services will be determined by conditions on the ground, with the safety of crew, vessels, and customer cargo remaining the overriding priority.
Shippers and freight forwarding enterprises with cargo moving on the Asia Middle East corridor are advised to monitor FMI sailing schedules, port call operations, and booking policy updates following the service relaunch.
Given the residual uncertainty surrounding the regional security environment, service operations remain subject to adjustment in response to evolving conditions; parties should confirm the latest availability, cut-off times, and cargo acceptance requirements directly with the carrier or their appointed agent prior to booking.
The restoration of Khor Fakkan as an alternative gateway that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz carries positive implications for distributing Gulf-bound transportation risk, and shippers are encouraged to evaluate transit and direct-call routing options via this port against their specific cargo delivery requirements.
OOIL Reports 45.1% Rise in Third-Quarter Liner Revenue to US$ 3,284.8 Million
Orient Overseas (International) Limited (OOIL), the Hong Kong-listed parent company of container carrier Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), has reported a 45.1% year-on-year increase in liner revenue for the third quarter ended 30 September 2026.
Revenue for the period reached US$3,284.8 million, compared with the same quarter of 2025.
Growth in cargo volumes, vessel utilization, and average revenue per container all contributed to the result.
The quarterly figures also lifted the company’s cumulative performance.
Liner revenue for the first nine months of 2026 rose 18.9% compared with the corresponding period of 2025.
OOIL’s third-quarter results reflect simultaneous gains across several core operating metrics.
– Liner revenue: up 45.1% to US$3,284.8 million
-Total liftings: up 9.0%
-Loadable capacity: up 3.6%
-Overall load factor: up 4.2%
– Average liner revenue perTEU: up 33.1%
Total liftings measure the volume of containers carried.
Because they grew faster than loadable capacity, the 9.0% rise in liftings against 3.6% capacity growth produced the 4.2% increase in overall load factor.
Load factor is the share of available vessel space that is filled with cargo.
The result indicates that the company absorbed additional cargo largely through higher utilization of its existing network rather than fleet expansion.
Average liner revenue per TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit, the standard measure of container volume) increased 33.1%.
This metric is widely regarded as an indicator of the freight rate environment.
Together with volume gains, it explains the scale of the revenue increase.
Revenue growth 5 of 45.1%, well ahead of the 9.0% rise in liftings, shows that yield improvement was the principal driver of the quarter’s performance.
For the nine months ended 30 September 2026, OOIL recorded more moderate but consistent growth across the same set of indicators.
-Liner revenue: up 18.9%
-Total liftings: up 6.5%
– Loadable capacity: up 4.8%
– Overall load factor: up 1.4%
– Average liner revenue per TEU: up 11.6%
Year-to-date figures show loadable capacity expanded by 4.8%, faster than the 3.6% recorded in the third quarter alone.
Over the same nine-month period, liftings grew 6.5%.
As liftings again outpaced capacity, the overall load factor rose 1.4%.
The wider gap between volume and capacity growth in the third quarter suggests that utilization tightened most noticeably in the most recent three-month period.
Average liner revenue per TEU rose 11.6% over nine months, compared with 33.1% in the third quarter.
This comparison points to a sharper yield improvement in the July-to-September period than in the first half of the year.
Oakland container volumes rebound in September
The Port of Oakland handled 188,517 TEUS in September 2026, up 5.4 percent year on year, as loaded imports and exports both increased.
Total container throughput rose 8.5 percent compared with August.
Combined loaded volumes reached 146,274 TEUs, an increase of 7.7 percent against September 2025.
Loaded imports recovered from the year-on-year declines recorded in July and August, rising 9.6 percent to 82,975 TEUS.
Loaded exports increased 5.3 percent to 63,299 TEUS and recorded their third consecutive month of growth compared with the preceding month.
“It’s encouraging to see growth in both imports and exports this month,” said Jason Garben, Port of Oakland Acting Director of Maritime.
“Our focus remains on delivering reliable, efficient service and working with our terminal operators and ocean carriers to strengthen Oakland’s competitive position and attract additional cargo.
Empty container movements fell 2.0 percent year on year to 42,243 TEUS in September.
The port recorded 88 vessel calls during the month, an increase of 7.3 percent compared with a year earlier.
Despite September’s gains, total throughput for the first nine months of 2026 remained below the previous year’s level.
Oakland handled 1,656,999 TEUS between January and September, down 3.5 percent against the same period in 2025.
Loaded imports over the nine-month period totalled 706,177 TEUS, a decline of 3.1 percent, while loaded exports rose 0.7 percent to 590,434 TEUS.
Combined loaded throughput reached 1,296,611 TEUS, down 1.4 percent year to date.
Empty container movements recorded a larger decline, falling 10.4 percent to 360,388 TEUS.
CMA CGM, Maersk, and Hapag-Lloyd Raise Peak Season Surcharges on Africa Routes - Up to USD 1,600 per Container
A vessel carrying nearly one thousand containers of export cargo has departed from the Zhonghe Xing Terminal at Taicang Port, bound for Jeddah Port in Saudi Arabia-marking the official launch of Taicang Port’s direct container express service to the Middle East.
Jeddah Port stands as the largest deep-water hub port along Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coastline and serves as a core conduit for China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
With reach extending across Saudi Arabia and close to 30 countries and regions throughout the Middle East, the port occupies a position of considerable strategic possible importance.
The inauguration of time for this direct express service establishes an efficient and reliable new maritime logistics corridor linking the Yangtze River Delta region with Saudi Arabia and its Middle Eastern neighbours.
To support the successful launch of the new route, the Taicang Maritime Safety Administration leveraged its professional expertise to safeguard the route’s safe and stable operation.
Recognising the time-sensitive nature of express sailings, the Administration established a dedicated green channel for administrative approvals, implementing flexible processing procedures to compress vessel clearance timelines to the greatest extent possible – ensuring zero waiting time for import and export approvals and delivering measurable savings in both time and cost for shipping enterprises.
During the vessel’s departure, the Administration coordinated traffic management with precision, monitored meteorological and hydrological conditions closely, and deployed its smart maritime platform alongside multiple digital tools to track vessel movements in real time, ensuring the ship’s safe transit in and out of port.
Port of Savannah Sets September Record With 504,015 TEUS
CMA CGM, Maersk, and Hapag-Lloyd have each issued formal announcements adjusting peak season surcharges (PSS) across multiple Asia and Oceania- to-Africa trade lanes.
The revised charges are scheduled to take effect between October 22 and October 26.
CMA CGM has announced that, effective from the October 22 loading date, peak season surcharges will apply to short-term contract cargo both dry and reefer – on China-West Africa services.
The applicable rates are as follows: USD 350 per TEU for Central West Africa (Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, and Togo); USD 550 per TEU for South West Africa (Angola, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Gabon, and Cameroon); USD 250 per TEU for North West Africa (Liberia, Senegal, Mauritania, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, and Sao Tome and Principe); and USD 200 per TEU for China to Conakry, Guinea, which remains unchanged.
In addition, CMA CGM will apply a surcharge of USD 750 per TEU on all cargo moving on the Far East-South Africa (Durban) trade lane, effective October 22 until further notice, along with a surcharge of USD 200 per TEU on all cargo from China to Mozambique.
Maersk has announced that, effective October 26 until further notice, peak season surcharges will apply to all cargo originating from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan destined for all West Africa ports.
The applicable rates are: USD 800 per box for 20-foot dry and reefer containers; USD 1,600 per box for 40-foot dry and reefer containers; and USD 1,600 per box for 45-foot high-cube containers.
The surcharge does not apply to SPOT bookings; for nonstop bookings, the applicable rate is determined by the price calculation date, and the charge is collected in accordance with the ocean freight payment terms.
Hapag-Lloyd has announced that, effective from the October 25 loading date until further notice, a surcharge of USD 400 per TEU will apply to all container types moving from China, South Korea, Japan, and Oceania to select Northwest Africa destination ports.
The applicable ports are Nouakchott GFS Freetown (Sierra Leone), Monrovia (Liberia), and (Gambia).
Effective the same date, a surcharge of USD 800 per TEU will apply to all container types on services from China, South Korea, Japan, and Oceania to select Southwest Africa ports.
The applicable ports include Luanda, Lobito, and Cabinda (Angola); Pointe-Noire (Republic of Congo); Matadi and Boma (Democratic Republic of Congo); Libreville and Port-Gentil (Gabon); Kribi and Douala (Cameroon); Walvis Bay (Namibia); and Bata and Malabo (Equatorial Guinea).
Shippers and freight forwarding enterprises with cargo movements on the affected trade lanes are advised to monitor the latest rate adjustments closely, consult current sailing schedules and freight rate information, and prepare cargo transportation plans accordingly.
Ho Chi Minh City Reshapes Its Port Network into a Regional Logistics Hub
Deep-water terminals, a planned international transshipment port, and a push for digital and greener operations are positioning Vietnam’s southern economic center as a key gateway for Southeast Asian trade.
Ho Chi Minh City is now expanding that role.
The city is reorganizing its port network into a connected regional logistics system built around deep-water terminals, inland connections, and digital freight management.
For freight forwarders, shippers, and importers tracking supply chain shifts across Southeast Asia, the expansion could change how cargo is routed, priced, and cleared through southern Vietnam.
The expansion’s scale follows a major administrative change.
On July 1, 2035, Ho Chies Minh City merged with Bish Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces.
Its maritime foot- print now extends to the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port cluster, Vietnam’s main deep-water container gateway in the south.
Cai Mep-Thi Vai brings considerable capability to the enlarged city.
It was the first facility in Vietnam able to berth ships of around 214,000 dead-weight tonnes, giving the region direct calls by mainline vessels on intercontinental routes.
Investment in the area continues:
– Cai Mep Ha port project: approved with a planned investment of about $1.95 billion.
It covers about 351 hectares, including nearly 230 hectares for container operations.
Thi Vai International Port: more than VND 2.7 trillion (about $115.7 million) committed to upgrading its facilities.
The city’s approved port master plan targets around $3 billion in investment.
Together, these projects mark a shift from a single, crowded river gateway to a connected corridor stretching from the urban core to the coast.
The master plan sets demanding targets for 2030:
– Total cargo: 463.4 million to 512.5 million tonnes
– Passenger traffic: 3 million to 3.3 million journeys
– Container volumes: 29.63 million to 33.16 million TEUs, excluding international transshipment cargo
These figures align with Vietnam’s national seaport plan to 2030.
That plan projects 500 million to 564 million tonnes and 29 million to 33 million TEUS for the wider southeastern seaport group, which also includes Dong Nai and Long An.
The targets reflect continued manufacturing investment in southern Vietnam as companies spread production across the region.
For freight forwarders, this growth opens room for new service contracts.
It also raises the stakes for capacity planning, carrier allocation, and reliable routing during peak seasons.
The most significant step toward regional hub status is the planned Can Gio International Transshipment Port.
In January 2025, Vietnam’s government approved the project’s investment policy.
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC) proposed it.
The port will cover about 571 hectares on Go Con Cho islet in Can Gio, with an initial investment of about VND 50 trillion, or close to $2 billion.