Global container freight prices have spiked by 130% since February, rising from around $2,000–$2,500 to over $4,000–$4,500 per TEU as escalating West Asia tensions continue to disrupt international shipping corridors, according to a report by investment banking firm Jefferies. The sharp rebound in ocean spot rates follows a period of stabilization in late 2025 and early 2026, posing renewed margin pressures for global trade just as India’s containerized EXIM value grew 23% year-on-year in September, boosted by a 48% surge in US-bound exports despite a 12–15% decline in trade with Gulf nations like the UAE and Saudi Arabia. While major Indian port traffic rose 13% during the same period, analysts note that the eventual trajectory of freight rates will hinge heavily on whether ocean carriers decide to resume Suez Canal sailings or maintain long-term diversions around Africa amid persistent maritime security risks in the Red Sea.