LOGISTICS WATCH | April 2026

April brought a more complex operating environment for global logistics, with air cargo demand showing resilience while fuel prices, geopolitical disruption and tightening capacity placed increasing pressure on freight costs and supply chain planning.

Air Cargo Shows Resilience Despite Disruption

The global air cargo market demonstrated surprising resilience during April, despite significant disruption across important aviation and trade corridors.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global air cargo demand increased by 4.0% year-on-year in April, while available cargo capacity declined by 0.4%. The strongest growth came from Asia-Pacific, where demand increased by 10.5%, while Africa also recorded growth of 7.7%.

The figures highlight an important characteristic of the current market: demand for airfreight remains relatively strong even as the cost and availability of capacity become more challenging.

Asia-linked trade continued to be a particularly important driver, with Africa–Asia and Asia–Europe corridors among the stronger-performing international trade lanes.

Fuel Costs Become a Major Logistics Consideration

One of the most significant pressures facing transport operators during April was the sharp increase in energy costs.

IATA reported that jet fuel prices were approximately 121% higher year-on-year, while crude oil prices had increased by 77.7% compared with the previous year.

For the logistics industry, higher fuel costs have a direct impact on the cost of moving cargo by air, road and sea.

Airlines and freight operators responded with adjustments to surcharges and pricing structures, while shipping lines also introduced bunker and fuel-related charges.

The result is an environment where the headline freight rate does not necessarily tell the complete story of the cost of moving a shipment.

Fuel, insurance, security and operational surcharges are increasingly important components of total logistics cost.

Ocean Freight Faces Capacity and Routing Pressure

The ocean freight market was also experiencing significant adjustments during April.

Carriers were managing capacity through blank sailings and network changes, while higher fuel costs contributed to additional surcharges across several major trade lanes.

European ports were also experiencing varying degrees of congestion and equipment shortages, creating additional challenges for shippers planning international movements.

At the same time, geopolitical instability in the Middle East was affecting shipping routes and increasing risk around important maritime corridors.

For cargo owners, this created a more complicated calculation when selecting between different transport options.

The cheapest route on paper may not necessarily be the most cost-effective option once transit time, reliability, surcharges and risk exposure are taken into account.

Trade Policy Adds Another Layer of Uncertainty

Global logistics operators were also navigating continued changes to international trade policy.

Changes to US tariff structures for steel, aluminium, copper and derivative products were among the developments influencing freight planning during April.

Trade policy changes can have consequences far beyond the products directly affected.

Importers and exporters may adjust purchasing decisions, bring shipments forward, change suppliers or reconsider established trade routes in response to changing duties and regulatory requirements.

This makes accurate documentation, customs knowledge and proactive planning increasingly important for international businesses.

South Africa Feels the Global Impact

For South African importers and exporters, many of these international developments are felt indirectly.

During April, South African logistics operators reported continued pressure from elevated fuel costs, while global shipping conditions contributed to higher freight and insurance costs. At the same time, South Africa’s major container routes were generally continuing to operate without the level of direct disruption experienced in some Middle Eastern corridors.

This distinction is important.

A disruption does not necessarily need to occur on South African soil to affect the local supply chain.

Changes to fuel prices, vessel routing, insurance, international capacity and carrier surcharges can all influence the final landed cost of goods entering or leaving the country.

What April’s Market Tells Us

The developments of April highlight a broader shift taking place across the logistics industry.

Businesses are increasingly looking beyond the basic question of “What will it cost to transport this shipment?”

They are also asking:

• How reliable is the route?
• How much capacity is available?
• What additional charges could apply?
• What happens if the planned route is disrupted?
• Are there alternative transport options?
• How will changes in fuel prices or trade policy affect the shipment?

In a more volatile global environment, visibility and flexibility are becoming just as important as price.

The Logistics Outlook

April demonstrated that global freight markets can remain operational while still experiencing considerable cost and planning pressure.

Airfreight demand remained resilient, but capacity constraints and fuel costs continued to influence pricing. Ocean carriers adjusted networks and capacity, while international trade policy added another variable for businesses planning future movements.

For importers, exporters and supply chain managers, the lesson is clear:

Effective logistics planning needs to account for the entire movement—not simply the transport from origin to destination.

At Breakthrough Solutions, we continue to monitor international freight markets, aviation developments, trade conditions and transport costs to help our clients make informed decisions and develop practical logistics solutions.

Because when the global logistics environment changes, the ability to adapt becomes part of the solution.