‘An Intense Rollercoaster’ — The 2026 Container Shipping Market

Freight buyers face another wild year ahead. Mike King speaks with Mark Chadwick and Chantal McRoberts about the 2026 container shipping market — contracts, rates, and risk management for those who want to stay one move ahead. Produced with the kind support of Dimerco Express Group. Freight buyers are heading into 2026 facing a container shipping market full of volatility — from emissions uncertainty and patchwork regulation to rate swings and fragile carrier contracts. In this episode, Mike King gets straight answers from two of the industry’s most experienced voices: Mark Chadwick, President of the Global Shippers’ Association, representing some of the world’s biggest cargo owners — from energy and healthcare giants to major manufacturers. Chantal McRoberts, Director at Drewry Supply Chain Advisors, who helps global shippers interpret market data and build smarter strategies after years working inside major carriers. Together, they unpack what’s next for global shipping, how to manage freight risk, and what smart buyers are doing now to secure value, service, and stability for the year ahead. In this episode: How emissions policy deadlock could shape shipping costs and contracts in 2026 What’s really driving rate swings on Transpacific and Asia–Europe trades When to lock in long-term contracts — and when to stay flexible The new balance of power between shippers and carriers Smart strategies to manage freight risk, surcharges, and service reliability What the data says about supply, demand, and rate trends for 2026 If you want to understand the container shipping market outlook for 2026 — and how to plan, contract and negotiate smarter — this episode is for you. Produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group [https://dimerco.com/] More episodes, transcripts, and resources: https://www.thefreightbuyersclub.com CHAPTERS  00:00 Meet the Guests — Mark Chadwick & Chantal McRoberts  02:49 IMO MEPC: The Emissions Deadlock  08:25 Transpacific Market Mayhem  19:54 Contracting Season — Freight Buyer Strategy  27:44 Surcharges — The Love–Hate Relationship  34:05 Global Container Market Analysis  43:27 Outlook 2026 — Overcapacity, Alliances & Risk  48.55 Quick-Fire Forecasts  #ContainerShipping #FreightBuyersClub #ShippingMarket #FreightRates #SupplyChain #Logistics #DimercoExpressGroup #FreightContracts #GlobalTrade #Shippers #MaritimeIndustry #ShippingOutlook2026