[Global Logistics Update] July 2026 — As geopolitical tensions gradually ease, major container shipping companies are progressively resuming traditional routes through the Red Sea and Suez Canal. Industry giants including CMA CGM and Maersk have successively announced the restart of Asia-Europe shipping services via the Suez Canal.
Previously, due to Red Sea security concerns, several carriers were forced to reroute around Africa's Cape of Good Hope, significantly extending Asia-Europe voyage times and substantially increasing logistics costs. The restoration of these routes is expected to notably improve efficiency across global plastics and chemicals supply chains and reduce ocean freight rates.
Industry insiders point out that the normalization of shipping will positively impact the global polymer market. The voyage delays and space shortages caused by rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope had, to some extent, driven up Asian export quotations for polyethylene, polypropylene, and other general-purpose plastics. With the Suez Canal routes restored, Asia-to-Europe plastics pellet ocean freight rates are expected to gradually decline.
However, uncertainty remains regarding the Strait of Hormuz situation, with elevated energy transport risks in the Middle East region, meaning full global supply chain normalization will still take time. In the short term, chemicals and plastics trading companies are advised to closely monitor regional developments and plan shipments accordingly.
Source: Plasteurope.com | July 2026
