International Shipping Trends - February 06, 2026 - Friday Global Port Strikes Announced

The global shipping industry faces significant developments this week. Italy's USB union has called for a 24-hour port strike on February 6, impacting 21 key Mediterranean ports including Piraeus, signaling potential regional disruptions. Simultaneously, COsCO Shipping has inaugurated its new CPV route, with the first vessel departing from Yangpu, Hainan, to Seattle. This marks the first direct international shipping link between Hainan and the Pacific Northwest, carrying specialized cargo like seafood and chemicals. In freight market trends, Drewry's World Container Index (WCI) dropped 5% this week to $2,107 per FEU, driven by falling rates on major Trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe trade lanes. Notably, the Shanghai to New York rate declined 7% to $2,969 per FEU. These events collectively highlight ongoing volatility and strategic shifts in global maritime logistics.