The Global Manufacturing PMI rose to 52.6 in April, its highest level in more than four years. Several major manufacturing markets remained in expansion, including the United States at 54.5, Taiwan at 55.3, South Korea at 53.6, India at 54.7 and Thailand at 52.7, while softer readings in Hong Kong, the Philippines and Indonesia showed uneven conditions across the region, according to Dimerco Express Group’s June 2026 Asia Pacific Freight Report.
What’s more, the forecast shows broad airfreight pressure across Northeast Asia.
The pressure is being driven by semiconductor, AI server, high-tech and e-commerce shipments, particularly from Taiwan and South Korea. Jet fuel constraints are also reducing effective capacity, with some carriers lowering payloads or replacing B747 freighters with smaller B777 aircraft.
“While some direct China-U.S. airfreight volumes are returning as trade policies stabilize, strong AI and semiconductor demand continues to keep capacity extremely tight across Asia,” says Kathy Liu, VP, global sales and marketing at Dimerco Express Group.
Key takeaways:
· Thailand airfreight is in backlog with rising rates across all major lanes, while Malaysia’s KUL and PEN air lanes are tight to Asia and Europe and in backlog to the United States.
· Operational congestion is adding to the challenge. Dimerco reports continued delays at Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, especially at TG and BFS terminals, affecting cargo handling, customs clearance and export operations. In India, congestion at Nhava Sheva Port is causing gate delays, trailer shortages, rollovers and longer delivery timelines.
· Ocean freight markets remain mixed, but rates are firming on several major lanes as shippers move cargo earlier to reduce exposure to rising fuel-related costs. Dimerco reports that frontloading is tightening vessel utilization, while carriers are adjusting bunker surcharges more frequently in response to fuel volatility.
· Europe remains a major airfreight pressure point, with the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom all showing tight capacity and rising rates to Asia, the U.S. East Coast and the U.S. West Coast. Ocean freight out of Europe remains more stable.
· In Mexico, airfreight is tight but stable to Asia and Europe. The most severe pressure is in Mexico South ocean freight, where capacity to Europe and the U.S. East Coast is marked serious with rising rates.
