As 2026 gets underway, the ocean cargo outlook has already been dramatically reshaped by recent U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran.
Xeneta Chief Analyst Peter Sand returns to The Intermodal Logistics Podcast to break down what shippers originally expected from this year’s ocean freight market—and how those expectations have shifted in the near term and for the months ahead as the Iran situation unfolds.
We cover the current status of the Suez Canal and Red Sea lanes, the implications for the Strait of Hormuz and global oil flows, the tactical changes carriers are making, and how all of this is feeding into the broader ocean rate environment.
We also go over Xeneta’s 2026 Ocean Outlook, released a few months ago, which had pointed toward something of a shipper’s market. Peter walks through how U.S. (and potential China) tariffs are expected to influence behavior, how the Supreme Court’s IEEPA ruling could reshape the landscape, plus practical guidance on strengthening shipper–carrier relationships in both volatile and stable markets.
To learn more about Xeneta and see the outlook for yourself, visit www.xeneta.com, where Peter also offers regular industry updates via Xeneta's blog. You can also find Peter's first episode with us, from July 2025, in which he explains the ocean freight landscape and more about what Xeneta does.
As for our podcast, subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.inteklogistics.com to learn more.
Get this episode on YouTube, where you can also check out our playlist for our 87 previous episodes on The Intermodal Logistics Channel. You can also listen right here using the player below, or find it on Apple, Spotify, or whatever your favorite podcasting platform may be.
Please do rate and review us, and subscribe or follow as well to ensure you get our latest episodes first. If you have any questions for us, send us a quick note at podcast@inteklogistics.com.
