May is not a quiet month in freight. And in 2026, it is shaping up to be one of the most strategically loaded months we have seen in a while. Rates are moving. Capacity is tightening. And if your business ships anything, by air, ocean, or truck, you need to know what is happening right now.
We have been moving cargo out of Miami for over 20 years. Our team at GM International watches these market shifts closely, because what happens globally shows up fast at 7517 NW 52 ST.
Here is our honest read on where things stand.
Ocean Freight: Controlled Chaos, With Intent
The oversupply story is real. New vessels are hitting the water in 2026 at a pace that should, in theory, crush rates. But carriers are not letting that happen. They are pulling blank sailings, restructuring routes, and using slow steaming to keep capacity artificially tight. The result? Rates are holding.
Where rates sit right now:
| Route Type | Avg. Rate (40FT Container) | Trend |
| Global Average | $2,100 to $2,200 | Slightly upward |
| Asia to US (West Coast) | Elevated | Stable with surcharge pressure |
| Asia to US (East Coast) | Higher due to rerouting | Rising |
The Red Sea situation is not resolved. Far from it. Vessels are still avoiding the Suez Canal and swinging around the Cape of Good Hope. That adds roughly 7 to 14 days to transit times, depending on the trade lane. Longer voyages mean higher fuel burn, tighter slot availability, and operational costs that do not disappear quietly.
What this means for you:
- Book early. Pre-peak season surcharges (PSS) and General Rate Increases (GRI) are already being announced for late May.
- If you are planning Q3 imports, the window to lock in reasonable rates is closing.
- East Coast and Gulf importers, especially those routing through Miami, should expect tighter availability well into June.
Air Freight: Buckle Up
This one caught a lot of shippers off guard. Global airfreight rates jumped to an average of $3.29 per kg, which is up 37% year-over-year. That is not a small number.
The May 4 outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East triggered immediate airspace closures. Flights were cancelled or rerouted on short notice. General cargo got bumped. Space tightened fast.
Quick breakdown:
| Metric | Status |
| Global Avg. Rate | $3.29/kg |
| YoY Change | +37% |
| April Tonnage vs. March | +5% rebound |
| Space Availability | Tightening |
The April tonnage rebound (+5%) came largely from Gulf-based airlines rebuilding operations after earlier disruptions. That helped, but it has not fully offset the capacity squeeze.
Tip for air shippers: If you have time-sensitive cargo moving through or around the Middle East corridor, build buffer time into your planning. Communicate with your forwarder early. We are managing re-routing on a daily basis right now, and the earlier we know your shipment needs, the better we can protect your timelines.
Trucking and Inland: The Quiet Shift Nobody Noticed
The U.S. trucking market spent the last two years in what the industry called a “freight recession.” A lot of small carriers could not survive it and exited the market. That supply contraction is now creating something we have not seen in a while: a market that actually favors shippers who build carrier relationships.
Capacity is rebalancing. Not tight yet, but tighter than it was six months ago.
May is specifically complicated because three things are converging at once:
- Roadcheck Week (federal truck inspection blitz, which pulls drivers off the road temporarily)
- Mother’s Day produce and floral surges
- The official start of the summer produce season from Florida and California
Diesel prices remain elevated. That filters directly into drayage costs, especially at East Coast ports and Gulf gateways like Miami. If you are moving containers through PortMiami or Port Everglades, plan for drayage costs to reflect that.
LTL update: Less-than-truckload demand is inching up from the early-year dip. Carriers are holding firm on pricing. Do not expect spot rate deals on LTL through May.
The Full Picture: May 2026 Snapshot
| Mode | Rate Direction | Capacity | Primary Driver |
| Ocean | Slightly upward | Intentionally restricted | Blank sailings + Suez diversions |
| Air | Rising | Tightening | Middle East airspace closures |
| Trucking | Modest increase | Rebalancing | Carrier attrition + Produce season |
What We Recommend Right Now
We work with importers and exporters across multiple industries, out of Miami and connecting through our offices in Brazil and Bolivia. Based on what we are seeing across all three modes, here is our practical advice for May and June:
- Ocean shippers: File your bookings now. Do not wait for rates to stabilize. They will not drop meaningfully before Q3.
- Air shippers: Use us to monitor routing options daily. The Middle East situation is fluid. Flexibility matters more than loyalty to one carrier right now.
- Domestic and drayage: Budget for a 5 to 10% uptick in inland costs through May. It is not dramatic, but it is real.
We are not forecasters. We are operators. And right now, the freight market rewards people who plan ahead and stay flexible.