CROSSING CURRENTS Issue #6 | January 11, 2026 Brought to you by Rural Logistics Good morning. Thirty-six days until Lunar New Year (February 17) factory closures, but the booking window isn't 36 days—it's closing this week. Transpacific rates jumped 22% in seven days as LNY demand tightens space. Meanwhile, transatlantic markets remain stable and reliable, a steady alternative while the Pacific tightens. Here's what matters this week. —Robyn Martin Founder, Rural Logistics So

If your LinkedIn feed looked like mine this weekend, you saw speculation about Venezuela disrupting U.S. diesel supply—claims of 15-25% price spikes and immediate shortages. The headlines are loud. The data is quieter—and more useful. Meanwhile, the actual Q1 disruption most shippers are underestimating is Lunar New Year (February 17) and the factory slowdowns beginning in late January.

The holiday lull is ending, but Q1 planning windows don’t reopen just because inboxes do. Transatlantic ocean rates remain stable in the low-to-mid $2,000s/FEU, air freight is easing toward the mid-$2/kg range, and limited Suez transits have resumed cautiously. Teams that waited through December still have options—but far less margin for error. Here’s what matters this week.

The year-end lull is here — but Q1 planning windows are closing faster than the calendar suggests. Transatlantic rates are sitting near multi-month lows, European congestion has eased from mid-year peaks, and carriers are cautiously testing limited Red Sea transits. None of that means execution risk is gone.

December 15, 2025 CROSSING CURRENTS December 16, 2025 · Issue #2 Brought to you by Rural Logistics Good morning. Mid-December air freight markets are showing the tightest capacity in over two years as winter passenger schedules reduce belly cargo space. Europe-to-North America spot rates jumped 21% in December to around $3.27 per kg, while Northern European port congestion continues easing from summer peaks. If you're coordinating Q1 shipments or managing year-end freight, h

December's freight market isn't slowing down like it should. Ocean rates are holding firm, air cargo capacity is tight, and ag export volumes from U.S. Gulf ports are up 8% year-over-year despite seasonal norms. If you're coordinating EU-US shipments or planning Q1 operations, here's what matters this week.