Shipping Industry: Container Market Heats Up in May, Bunker Surcharges to Be Adjusted Monthly
Two major Taiwanese logistics firms reported strong May results, indicating a recovery in the container shipping market and a shift to monthly bunker surcharge adjustments.
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- 📰 Published: June 10, 2026 at 13:41
- 🔍 Collected: June 10, 2026 at 13:52 (11 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 10, 2026 at 13:53 (1 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Taipei, 10th, Central News Agency Reporter Jiang Mingyan) Freight forwarder T.H.I. Group stated that the container shipping market in May showed significant improvement compared to the first quarter, with demand on deep-sea routes recovering and pre-peak season restocking demand increasing, leading to rising freight rates on US and European routes in June. Dimerco Express Group pointed out that some companies continue to arrange shipments in advance, driving up sea freight rates, and major shipping lines have increased the frequency of bunker surcharge adjustments from once per quarter to once per month.
T.H.I. Group's consolidated revenue for May was NT$20.99 billion, a record high for a single month this year, up 11.13% month-on-month and 10.7% year-on-year. Cumulative consolidated revenue for the first five months was NT$88.35 billion, a decrease of 3.73% year-on-year.
T.H.I. Group stated that the May growth was driven by increased shipment demand from mainland China and stable demand for high-tech supply chain logistics. Supported by demand for goods such as AI servers, cross-border logistics demand rebounded from April. Additionally, demand for e-commerce and some industrial raw material transportation also increased.
T.H.I. noted that some customers, considering upcoming holiday schedules, freight rate adjustments, and fuel cost changes, are planning shipments and logistics schedules in advance, which has boosted overall shipment momentum.
From a market perspective, T.H.I. believes the container shipping market in May improved significantly compared to the first quarter. The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) continued to rise, reflecting recovering demand on deep-sea routes and increased pre-peak season restocking demand. Freight rates on US and European routes were higher than at the beginning of the month. Entering June, freight rates on some major routes remain at high levels.
Dimerco announced that its self-reported consolidated revenue for May was NT$3.24 billion, a 39% year-on-year increase, marking the highest monthly turnover since September 2022. Cumulative consolidated revenue for the first five months of 2026 was NT$131.3 billion, a 10.7% year-on-year increase.
Dimerco pointed out that due to energy price fluctuations and geopolitical risks, some companies continue to arrange shipments in advance, driving up sea freight rates. In response to fuel price volatility, major shipping lines have increased the frequency of bunker surcharge adjustments from once per quarter to once per month.
Regarding the air freight market, Dimerco stated that trade policy uncertainty has decreased, leading some high-tech companies to resume direct air freight services from China to the US, reducing the need for transshipment hubs like Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan. Meanwhile, strong demand for semiconductors and AI servers has boosted cargo volume from Taiwan to the US, keeping capacity tight on US and regional routes and pushing freight rates upward. (Editor: Pan Yijing) 1150610
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(Taipei, 10th, Central News Agency Reporter Jiang Mingyan) Freight forwarder T.H.I. Group stated that the container shipping market in May showed significant improvement compared to the first quarter, with demand on deep-sea routes recovering and pre-peak season restocking demand increasing, leading to rising freight rates on US and European routes in June. Dimerco Express Group pointed out that some companies continue to arrange shipments in advance, driving up sea freight rates, and major shipping lines have increased the frequency of bunker surcharge adjustments from once per quarter to once per month.
T.H.I. Group's consolidated revenue for May was NT$20.99 billion, a record high for a single month this year, up 11.13% month-on-month and 10.7% year-on-year. Cumulative consolidated revenue for the first five months was NT$88.35 billion, a decrease of 3.73% year-on-year.
T.H.I. Group stated that the May growth was driven by increased shipment demand from mainland China and stable demand for high-tech supply chain logistics. Supported by demand for goods such as AI servers, cross-border logistics demand rebounded from April. Additionally, demand for e-commerce and some industrial raw material transportation also increased.
T.H.I. noted that some customers, considering upcoming holiday schedules, freight rate adjustments, and fuel cost changes, are planning shipments and logistics schedules in advance, which has boosted overall shipment momentum.
From a market perspective, T.H.I. believes the container shipping market in May improved significantly compared to the first quarter. The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) continued to rise, reflecting recovering demand on deep-sea routes and increased pre-peak season restocking demand. Freight rates on US and European routes were higher than at the beginning of the month. Entering June, freight rates on some major routes remain at high levels.
Dimerco announced that its self-reported consolidated revenue for May was NT$3.24 billion, a 39% year-on-year increase, marking the highest monthly turnover since September 2022. Cumulative consolidated revenue for the first five months of 2026 was NT$131.3 billion, a 10.7% year-on-year increase.
Dimerco pointed out that due to energy price fluctuations and geopolitical risks, some companies continue to arrange shipments in advance, driving up sea freight rates. In response to fuel price volatility, major shipping lines have increased the frequency of bunker surcharge adjustments from once per quarter to once per month.
Regarding the air freight market, Dimerco stated that trade policy uncertainty has decreased, leading some high-tech companies to resume direct air freight services from China to the US, reducing the need for transshipment hubs like Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan. Meanwhile, strong demand for semiconductors and AI servers has boosted cargo volume from Taiwan to the US, keeping capacity tight on US and regional routes and pushing freight rates upward. (Editor: Pan Yijing) 1150610
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The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or transmitted without authorization.
FAQ
What was T.H.I. Group's revenue in May?
NT$20.99 billion, a year-to-date high.
What was Dimerco's revenue growth rate in May?
39% year-on-year increase to NT$3.24 billion.
What changed with the bunker surcharge?
Major shipping lines changed the adjustment frequency from quarterly to monthly.