Container Bytes: Weekly Ocean & Air Freight Intelligence for Supply Chain Pros

Freightos
  • 5.0 (3)
  • BUSINESS NEWS

Ten minutes. Everything moving in global freight. Container Bytes delivers weekly ocean and air cargo market data, rate trends, and forecasts, all designed for supply chain professionals who need signal, not noise. Brought to you by Freightos, the global freight booking platform and starring Judah Levine, Freightos' market analyst. Serious freight updates from people who don't take themselves too seriously. 

  1. 20H AGO

    Episode #30: Project Freedom and the UAE Airspace Whiplash

    Welcome back to Container Bytes! I’m Julia Frohwein, and I’m back with Judah Levine to break down a week that felt like a decade. We’re diving into the rapid-fire timeline of Project Freedom—the US-led effort to force transit through the Strait of Hormuz that resulted in naval skirmishes and was suspended almost as quickly as it began. In this episode, we analyze why ocean rates are proving remarkably "sticky" despite the low-demand slow season. While Asia-Europe rates are hovering near pre-war levels, the Transpacific has seen a 50% gain since the conflict started, holding onto a $1,000/container increase even without the Lunar New Year rush. We also cover the "May 2nd Tease": the UAE fully reopened its airspace for exactly 24 hours before renewed attacks forced a shutdown until May 11th. We explore what this "start-stop" volatility means for Emirates, Etihad, and global air cargo benchmarks that remain 25% above pre-war levels. Chapters:  00:00:00 — Project Freedom: The 48-hour naval escalation. 00:01:45 — The Oil Flow Problem: Why "escorts" aren't restoring the energy market. 00:02:30 — Sticky Rates: Why the Transpacific is holding a 50% gain in a slow season. 00:04:15 — Manufacturing Warning: Why slowing orders in Vietnam are the new "canary in the coal mine." 00:06:00 — Airspace Whiplash: The UAE’s 24-hour opening and the May 11th closure. 00:07:30 — Air Index Update: Why Middle East lanes are still hitting peak pricing ($3.90/kg). This podcast is a little experiment from Freightos—and may not be around forever—so if you dig quick bites of freight wisdom, let us know.  For more detailed weekly freight updates delivered straight to your inbox, check out our weekly freight email. Want the freshest freight data on demand? Hit up terminal.freightos.com.

    9 min

  2. APR 30

    Episode #29: The Jet Fuel Sharing Plan and the "Quiet Crisis"

    Welcome to a very special episode of Container Bites! If you’re wondering why Eytan suddenly has long brown hair and a British accent—don’t panic. 📍 I’m Julia Frohwein, and I’m thrilled to be taking over the mic. This week, Judah and I dive into the "Quiet Crisis." The ceasefire is holding, but with the Strait of Hormuz still closed and the US blockade in place, oil prices are creeping back up. We break down why Asia-Europe ocean rates are hitting a stubborn floor—50% higher than October levels—despite the seasonal lull. We also look at the high-stakes game in the skies: Lufthansa and KLM are scrapping thousands of flights to conserve fuel, and the EU is already drawing up a "Mandatory Jet Fuel Sharing Plan" to prevent a regional blackout. Plus, we discuss why Maersk is struggling to guarantee export services out of the Gulf and how Gemini is doubling down on Jeddah as the ultimate land-bridge fallback. Chapters:  00:00:00 — Meet the New Voice: Julia takes the helm. 00:01:00 — The Gulf Strain: Maersk’s export warning and the Jeddah pivot. 00:02:30 — Ocean Rate Split: Why the Transpacific is winning the rate hike war. 00:04:15 — Peak Season Anxiety: Will high energy costs kill consumer demand? 00:06:00 — The Air Cargo "Club": Lufthansa, KLM, and the 20,000-flight cull. 00:07:00 — Europe’s Fuel Stash: The EU’s emergency sharing proposal. 00:08:30 — Air Index Update: Why Southeast Asia to Europe is still climbing.This podcast is a little experiment from Freightos—and may not be around forever—so if you dig quick bites of freight wisdom, let us know.  For more detailed weekly freight updates delivered straight to your inbox, check out our weekly freight email. Want the freshest freight data on demand? Hit up terminal.freightos.com.

    9 min

  3. APR 23

    Episode #28: Lufthansa’s 20,000 Flight Cancellations and the "More Closed" (Dire) Strait

    Get your freight emergency kits ready, because the fuel market is bordering on absolute chaos.  Between the IRGC boarding container ships in the Strait of Hormuz and Lufthansa slashing 20,000 flights due to fuel concerns,  capacity is getting squeezed from both ends.  While jet fuel prices have dipped slightly from their March peak, the real ghost in the machine is availability. Europe might only have six weeks of jet fuel left in the tank, making "seasonal trends" look about as relevant as a VCR manual in 2026. But it’s not all doom and gloom—unless you hate money. US importers are finally seeing the "CAPE" portal open for IEEPA tariff refunds. It might take 90 days to see the cash, but in a market where Transpacific rates are $800 higher than pre-war levels during what should be the "quiet" season, every cent of cash flow helps. This podcast is a little experiment from Freightos—and may not be around forever—so if you dig quick bites of freight wisdom, let us know.  For more detailed weekly freight updates delivered straight to your inbox, check out our weekly freight email. Want the freshest freight data on demand? Hit up terminal.freightos.com.

    12 min

  4. APR 15

    Episode #27: The Blockade Paradox and Your Missing Tariff Refunds

    Get your freight Christmas sweater on (yes, even in April), because the Straits of Hormuz are getting chilly🥁.  We’re diving into why the Hormuz blockade(ish) your ocean rates are staying surprisingly grounded while jet fuel prices are pulling an Artemis II. Judah explains the "Inverse Crisis Correlation"-  we have so many ships due to overcapacity that even a Middle East blockade can't kick rates into high gear.  Meanwhile, air cargo is feeling the heat as jet fuel prices double, causing airlines to slash flights faster than my kids lose their left shoes.  Also...refunds! The IEEPA refund portal is finally opening, and Uncle Sam owes you some lunch money. Get the full April monthly deepdive here https://www.freightos.com/logistics-technology-insights/industry-updates/global-freight-outlook-april-2026/ This podcast is a little experiment from Freightos—and may not be around forever—so if you dig quick bites of freight wisdom, let us know.  For more detailed weekly freight updates delivered straight to your inbox, check out our weekly freight email. Want the freshest freight data on demand? Hit up terminal.freightos.com.

    11 min

  5. APR 9

    Episode #26: Strait Talk And The Air Cargo Hit

    Better late than never.  Hope your supply chain is holding up better than my audio equipment.  The ceasefire news is hogging the headlines, but don't let the noise fool you;the Straits of Hormuz are still effectively a "no-go" zone for container ships. While carriers like CMA CGM and COSCO are trickling a few vessels out, nobody is exactly rushing back in.  Ocean rates are staying surprisingly soft at around $2,500 for Transpacific lanes due to a massive ghost of overcapacity. Meanwhile, Air Cargo is getting absolutely pummeled, with South Asia to Europe rates spiking 60% to over $4.00/kg. It’s a tale of two markets: one is floating on a sea of extra ships, and the other is running out of jet fuel. I’m not crying about these air rates. You are. (Actually, we both are). If we don't see fuel availability stabilize in hubs like Singapore soon, we might all be shipping via carrier pigeon. Chapters:  00:00 — Microphone Malfunctions and Strait Talk  01:15 — The "Hostage" Ships: Who is actually getting out? 03:45 — The GRI Bluff: Why $6,000 rates aren't happening  05:30 — Overcapacity: The only thing keeping ocean rates alive  08:15 — Air Cargo's 60% Nightmare: Fuel, Flights, and Fumes 11:00 — Singapore’s Fuel Clock: 30 days and counting This podcast is a little experiment from Freightos—and may not be around forever—so if you dig quick bites of freight wisdom, let us know.  For more detailed weekly freight updates delivered straight to your inbox, check out our weekly freight email. Want the freshest freight data on demand? Hit up terminal.freightos.com.

    12 min

  6. MAR 22

    Special Episode: Getting Your IEEPA Tariff Refunds (Eventually)

    The Supreme Court  tossed IEEPA tariffs out, but don't pop the champagne just yet. The White House pivoted with a (temporary-ish) 10% global tariff under Section 122 just four days later. It's currently sitting well below the 15% to 20% ranges we saw previously, but with the July expiration date looming, the USTR is sprinting through 122 new trade investigations. The billion-dollar question: how do you actually get your IEEPA refund?  CBP is launching the CAPE portal mid-April, but you can't just ask for your money back; your customs entry has to be completely "liquidated" first.  That means you're waiting at least a full year from the import date. (I’m not crying - you are). And... the Importer of Record is the only one cashing that check! If you didn't pay customs directly, the cash isn't trickling down your supply chain.  Adam Lewis from Clearit Customs Brokers joins Judah Levine to break down the exact paperwork you need, who actually qualifies, and why the government's "automated" portal still involves a massive manual review bottleneck. This podcast is a little experiment from Freightos—and may not be around forever—so if you dig quick bites of freight wisdom, let us know.  For more detailed weekly freight updates delivered straight to your inbox, check out our weekly freight email. Want the freshest freight data on demand? Hit up terminal.freightos.com.

    24 min

  7. MAR 18

    Ep. 24: Fuel Surcharges Ahead and the Middle East Starting to Come Back Online

    The Middle East isn't exactly "business as usual," (you knew that) BUT the cargo heart is starting to beat again. We’re moving past the total shutdown and into the "creative logistics" phase. That's a polite way of saying everything is moving by truck on two-lane highways and costing a fortune. The real story this week isn't just the closure of the Strait; it’s the surcharge flurry hitting lanes that haven't even seen a ripple from the Gulf. While ocean liners are ship-to-ship refueling like some high-stakes Mad Max sequel, BCOs are finally starting to push back on "volatility taxes" during contract season.  I’m not crying. You’re just looking at your next fuel surcharge invoice. Share this episode or I’ll personally ensure your next shipment is "optimized" via a 40-day scenic route through a port that doesn't exist. 00:00:00 — The Strait of Hormuz is still closed (sorry for being blunt).  00:01:15 — Land bridges and India shuttles: Cargo finds a way.  00:03:45 — The Surcharge Flurry: Why your Asia-Europe rate just spiked for no reason.  00:06:10 — Maersk is now its own gas station (ship-to-ship refueling).  00:08:20 — Air cargo's 84% spike and the "safe air corridor" gamble.  00:10:45 — Trump, Xi, and the Section 122 tariff shell game. This podcast is a little experiment from Freightos—and may not be around forever—so if you dig quick bites of freight wisdom, let us know.  For more detailed weekly freight updates delivered straight to your inbox, check out our weekly freight email. Want the freshest freight data on demand? Hit up terminal.freightos.com.

    13 min

  8. MAR 11

    Episode #22: Strait to It, Creative Surcharges and Supreme Court Wins

    Welcome back to the pod!  This week, I (Eytan) and Judah (not me) dive into why the Straits of Hormuz is the latest headache for your bottom line, even if your containers aren't actually in the Gulf. We’re tracking "Emergency Contingency Surcharges" (top-tier naming, guys) that are adding $300-$400 per container just as we hit the post-Lunar New Year lull. On the bright side, the Supreme Court and the Court of International Trade just handed a massive win to importers. If you’ve been paying IEEPA tariffs, you’re officially in the "refund" line...though Customs and Border Protection claims it might take a few lifetimes to process. Share this episode or your next shipment will be hit with a "Forgot to Tell My Friends Surcharge" that is legally binding in at least three oceans. Chapters 00:00:00 — The "War Card" and why we missed a week. 00:01:15 — The Straits of Hormuz: Why 2% of volume is causing 100% of the drama. 00:03:30 — Creative Surcharges: Emergency, Contingency, and everything in between. 00:06:45 — Air Cargo update: Emirates, Qatar, and the "Safe Corridors." 00:09:40 — Tariff Refunds: The IEEPA ruling and the $150 per TEU fuel hike. This podcast is a little experiment from Freightos—and may not be around forever—so if you dig quick bites of freight wisdom, let us know.  For more detailed weekly freight updates delivered straight to your inbox, check out our weekly freight email. Want the freshest freight data on demand? Hit up terminal.freightos.com.

    14 min
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About

Ten minutes. Everything moving in global freight. Container Bytes delivers weekly ocean and air cargo market data, rate trends, and forecasts, all designed for supply chain professionals who need signal, not noise. Brought to you by Freightos, the global freight booking platform and starring Judah Levine, Freightos' market analyst. Serious freight updates from people who don't take themselves too seriously. 

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