Research Intel
Hook Candidates
Hook 1 — 'Exporters are pivoting to Asia/CPTPP buyers in 2026; can you help them find new buyers and shipping terms?'
- Why it fits: Vietnam exporters (seafood, rice, processed agro) are shifting volumes away from US/EU toward China, Hong Kong and CPTPP markets in 2025–26. Forwarders like UNIQUE LOGISTI INTL are front‑line advisors when clients need to reconfigure routes, packaging, and buyer terms. Tridge Ark can be presented as a delivery channel that (a) finds qualified buyers in Asia/CPTPP, (b) provides market and price intel to negotiate better terms, and (c) plugs into the forwarder’s freight services for execution.
Hook 2 — '2026 routing volatility & port capacity crunch mean exporters need rapid contingency routing and multi‑carrier quotes.'
- Why it fits: Red Sea/Suez re‑routing risks, port congestion in HCMC/Hai Phong, and volatile spot rates leave exporters exposed to delays and margin squeeze. UNIQUE LOGISTI INTL can originate exporters who need fast, multi‑option logistics + market access support. Tridge Ark offers instant buyer discovery and alternative sourcing/market options plus quote bundling so forwarders can convert risk‑averse exporters into new business quickly.
(Each hook links a current, verifiable market shift — intra‑Asia export growth; routing/port volatility — to a concrete value the forwarder can deliver by introducing clients into Tridge Ark.)
## Company Profile
UNIQUE LOGISTI INTL — profile (inferred)
- Category: Freight forwarder (Vietnam). Public website not found in lead data. Contact: Trần Duy Hòa, Trưởng Văn phòng đại diện (representative office). Email on file: james.tran.hcm@unique-logistics.com.
- Likely services: ocean and air freight forwarding, customs clearance/brokerage, inland pick‑up/ICD transfers, reefer handling for agri/seafood, contract negotiation with carriers, multi‑modal routing and documentation for exporters. Typical scale: small–to–mid sized national forwarder with representative office structure (no public HQ data available).
- Typical client base (relevant to Tridge): seafood & shrimp processors/exporters, rice traders, coffee/cashew exporters, garment & electronics manufacturers that export containerized goods via Cat Lai, Cai Mep–Thi Vai and Hai Phong.
Notes: company-specific details (fleet, turnover, customers) were not discoverable from supplied lead record; profile is constructed from category + local market practice for VN freight forwarders.
## Pain Points
1) Margin pressure & rate volatility — clients face falling spot rates but unpredictable surcharges (detours, fuel, peak season), squeezing forwarder margins when they must guarantee space or offer all‑in quotes.
2) Client market re‑orientation — exporters (seafood, rice, coffee) are shifting volumes from US/EU toward China/HK and CPTPP markets; forwarders must help clients find buyers, adjust packaging/compliance and reconfigure routing quickly.
3) Regulatory & compliance burdens on agri/seafood exports — IUU yellow card, stricter EU/US traceability and ESG rules increase documentation and inspection needs; forwarders need a channel to connect compliant buyers and provide market intel and M&S solutions.
4) Operational risk from port congestion & routing disruptions — equipment shortages, transshipment delays (Singapore), and port tariff divergence between Hai Phong and CM‑TV create urgent need for contingency routings and multi‑carrier options.
## Intel Summary
=== MULTI-DIMENSION RESEARCH ===
=== 1. [MARKET EVENTS] – VIETNAM CONTAINERIZED EXPORT FLOWS TO US/EU/CHINA/JAPAN (2025–EARLY 2026) ===
**Overall export/container trends & trade‑lane shifts**
- Vietnam’s seaborne trade continues to grow, with Hai Phong alone handling 115.6 million tons in 2025 (+8.7% YoY) and 8.35 million TEU (+13% YoY); the port authority targets 122 million tons and 9.1 million TEU in 2026 (+5.5% and +9% vs 2025). ([news.baohaiphong.vn](https://news.baohaiphong.vn/hai-phong-seaport-aims-to-handle-122-million-tons-of-cargo-in-2026-533328.html?utm_source=openai))
- Equity/sector reports on Vietnam’s seaport/logistics industry expect deep‑sea ports to outperform, driven by continued export growth and cargo consolidation on mainline services from Northern (Hai Phong/Lach Huyen) and Southern (Cai Mep–Thi Vai, Cat Lai) clusters. ([mbs.com.vn](https://mbs.com.vn/files/uploads/2025/07/VN-Dynamicc-2H25_Seaport-EN.pdf?utm_source=openai))
**US lane – tariffs & nearshoring effects**
- Global container flows into the US are stagnating or mildly contracting; NRF/Hackett Associates project about a 2% YoY decline in US container imports in 1H 2026, as tariffs and trade tensions push sourcing and trade growth toward other routes. ([trasportoeuropa.it](https://www.trasportoeuropa.it/english/tariffs-weigh-on-container-flows-to-the-united-states/?utm_source=openai))
- Analysis of those flows notes “world trade is reorganising… away from the US market,” with stronger EU–India, Canada–EU–China links and more regional trade agreements; many global manufacturers are accelerating nearshoring/friend‑shoring to diversify away from heavily tariffed US‑bound routes. ([trasportoeuropa.it](https://www.trasportoeuropa.it/english/tariffs-weigh-on-container-flows-to-the-united-states/?utm_source=openai))
- For Vietnam, this implies:
- **Slower growth in containerized exports to the US** relative to Asia/CPTPP, as shown by seafood exporters pivoting toward China and CPTPP members for volume expansion. ([seafoodsource.com](https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/vietnam-s-2025-seafood-exports-hit-record-high?utm_source=openai))
- Rising importance of **USMCA, EU, and intra‑Asia routings** for multinationals using Vietnam as a China‑plus‑one base.
**EU lane – FTA and regulatory impacts**
- Under the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), tariff reductions have continued to phase in, reinforcing Vietnam’s role as an export base for textiles, footwear, electronics and agro‑foods into the EU. Recent agro‑trade analysis for Vietnam–EU exports shows positive outlook into 2026 but warns that **global oversupply and stricter EU standards** will keep price pressure high. ([agro.gov.vn](https://agro.gov.vn/images/files/2025_10_AFF_Export_EU_EN.pdf?utm_source=openai))
- For seafood and related reefer containers, the EU’s IUU “yellow card” remains a binding regulatory constraint:
- It is delaying or complicating EU orders and adding costs (extra inspections, documentation), which **shifts some seafood export growth toward Asia (China, CPTPP markets)** instead of the EU. ([vietnam-briefing.com](https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnams-seafood-exports-growth-drivers-market-shifts-and-2026-outlook.html/?utm_source=openai))
**China & intra‑Asia lanes – growing share of Vietnam export volumes**
- Seafood: in 2025, China (incl. Hong Kong) became Vietnam’s **second‑largest seafood buyer** with USD 2.4 billion in imports (+28.5% YoY), while CPTPP markets reached USD 3 billion (+20.8% YoY); the US and EU grew slower, evidencing a shift in containerized reefer flows toward Asia/CPTPP. ([seafoodsource.com](https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/vietnam-s-2025-seafood-exports-hit-record-high?utm_source=openai))
- Early‑2025/2026 seafood data show China & Hong Kong plus Asia driving much of the incremental growth, with the US and EU increasingly constrained by trade and regulatory barriers. ([vietnam-briefing.com](https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnams-seafood-exports-growth-drivers-market-shifts-and-2026-outlook.html/?utm_source=openai))
- Rice: in the first 45 days of 2026, **Philippines and China together accounted for ~70% of Vietnam’s rice export volume**, reinforcing the concentration of bulk/feeder and containerized rice flows within Asia rather than to Western markets. ([vnbis.com](https://vnbis.com/news/vietnam-rice-exports-in-early-2026-345/?utm_source=openai))
**Japan & CPTPP – stable high‑value demand**
- Vietnam’s seafood exporters have used CPTPP preferences to grow shipments to Japan and other members, with CPTPP as a bloc taking **USD 3 billion of Vietnam seafood in 2025 (+20.8% YoY)**. Japan is one of the largest within this group, particularly for shrimp, tuna, and value‑added products shipped in refrigerated containers. ([seafoodsource.com](https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/vietnam-s-2025-seafood-exports-hit-record-high?utm_source=openai))
- Sector outlooks point to CPTPP markets (Japan, Canada, Mexico, etc.) as key diversification outlets from the US and EU for both manufactured goods and agri‑food products through 2026. ([seafoodsource.com](https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/vietnam-s-2025-seafood-exports-hit-record-high?utm_source=openai))
**Port congestion & network configuration (Hai Phong / HCMC / transshipment)**
- Hai Phong: 2025 throughput growth of +13% in TEU, target +9% in 2026, implies **ongoing pressure on yard and berth capacity**, especially at the Lach Huyen deep‑sea terminals, though expansion projects aim to keep congestion manageable. ([news.baohaiphong.vn](https://news.baohaiphong.vn/hai-phong-seaport-aims-to-handle-122-million-tons-of-cargo-in-2026-533328.html?utm_source=openai))
- Sector and brokerage reports on Vietnam’s ports anticipate:
- **Tariff differentiation** between upstream and downstream terminals in Hai Phong from 2025–26, but **relatively flat handling prices** thanks to sharply increasing capacity at Lach Huyen. ([gtjai.com.vn](https://gtjai.com.vn/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/EN-GTJASVN_Sector-Report_Port-Maritime-Transport_Positive_21.3.2025_Eng-ver.pdf?utm_source=openai))
- HCMC/Cai Mep–Thi Vai cluster expected to maintain **higher service prices and tighter capacity**, supported by stronger demand; rates there could rise slightly from 2026 as alliance re‑shuffles change call patterns. ([gtjai.com.vn](https://gtjai.com.vn/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/EN-GTJASVN_Sector-Report_Port-Maritime-Transport_Positive_21.3.2025_Eng-ver.pdf?utm_source=openai))
**Nearshoring/friend‑shoring: Vietnam’s role**
- Global analyses of 2026 ocean freight note that trade flows are being re‑routed because of Red Sea/Suez disruptions and tariff realignments, with **greater emphasis on regional supply chains and “friend‑shoring”**. ([spglobal.com](https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/research/2026/02/2026-ocean-freight-outlook-softer-rates-ahead-but-volatility-is-not-going-anywhere?utm_source=openai))
- Within this, Vietnam continues to benefit as a **China‑plus‑one export base** for electronics, furniture, apparel and some agri‑processed foods going to US, EU and Japan; however, the **fastest incremental growth in 2025–26 is in intra‑Asia flows (China/Philippines/CPTPP)**, not to the US. ([seafoodsource.com](https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/vietnam-s-2025-seafood-exports-hit-record-high?utm_source=openai))
=== 2. [COMMODITY TRENDS] – VIETNAM RICE, COFFEE, SHRIMP & SEAFOOD EXPORTS (2025–EARLY 2026) ===
**Rice**
- Export performance (early 2026):
- First 45 days of 2026: **1.13 million tonnes, USD 528.9 million**, up **39.9% in volume** vs same period 2025. ([vnbis.com](https://vnbis.com/news/vietnam-rice-exports-in-early-2026-345/?utm_source=openai))
- Average export price Jan–Feb 2026: **USD 465.7/tonne**, **17.7% lower** YoY, reflecting global supply surplus and easing prices after the 2023–24 spike. ([vnbis.com](https://vnbis.com/news/vietnam-rice-exports-in-early-2026-345/?utm_source=openai))
- Market concentration: Philippines + China ≈ **70% of Vietnam’s rice export volume** in January 2026, heightening dependence on these two buyers. ([vnbis.com](https://vnbis.com/news/vietnam-rice-exports-in-early-2026-345/?utm_source=openai))
- Pricing & supply drivers:
- Global oversupply and competition from Thailand, India (where export restrictions are being gradually adjusted), and Pakistan are pressuring prices; Vietnamese rice is trading at a discount versus its 2023–24 highs despite still‑strong demand. ([vnbis.com](https://vnbis.com/news/vietnam-rice-exports-in-early-2026-345/?utm_source=openai))
**Coffee**
- Sector commentary from Vietnam’s agro/seafood exporters notes that **coffee prices retreated in mid‑2025** as supply pressure and weaker demand set in, alongside similar declines in paddy/rice prices. ([seafood.vasep.com.vn](https://seafood.vasep.com.vn/total-seafood-trade/news/fluctuating-seafood-prices-exports-face-pressure-from-technical-barriers-and-tariffs-34236.html?utm_source=openai))
- Vietnam (Robusta‑focused) is still a major supplier to EU and US roasters; however, margins have been squeezed by:
- **Lower global prices** vs 2024 peaks. ([seafood.vasep.com.vn](https://seafood.vasep.com.vn/total-seafood-trade/news/fluctuating-seafood-prices-exports-face-pressure-from-technical-barriers-and-tariffs-34236.html?utm_source=openai))
- Higher logistics and compliance costs (ESG, deforestation‑free requirements for EU). These are referenced indirectly in wider discussions on technical barriers and stricter traceability standards facing agri exports. ([seafood.vasep.com.vn](https://seafood.vasep.com.vn/total-seafood-trade/news/fluctuating-seafood-prices-exports-face-pressure-from-technical-barriers-and-tariffs-34236.html?utm_source=openai))
*(Recent, very granular 2026 coffee export statistics by value/volume and price are still limited publicly; most open‑source reporting bundles coffee with broader agri‑export commentary rather than giving discrete 2026 numbers.)*
**Shrimp & wider seafood**
- Aggregate seafood exports:
- 2025 seafood exports hit a **record ~USD 11.3 billion (+12.4% vs 2024)**. ([seafoodsource.com](https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/vietnam-s-2025-seafood-exports-hit-record-high?utm_source=openai))
- Product breakdown 2025: shrimp **USD 4.6 billion (+19% YoY)** and remained the leading item; strong growth also in tuna and high‑value crustaceans (lobster, crab). ([seafoodsource.com](https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/vietnam-s-2025-seafood-exports-hit-record-high?utm_source=openai))
- Market mix and shifts:
- 2025 seafood exports by destination: CPTPP **USD 3 billion (+20.8%)**, China & Hong Kong **USD 2.4 billion (+28.5%)**, US **USD 1.9 billion (low‑to‑mid single digit growth)**, EU and Korea smaller and slower growing. ([seafoodsource.com](https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/vietnam-s-2025-seafood-exports-hit-record-high?utm_source=openai))
- For the first 8 months of 2025, customs data show **USD 7.34 billion (+16.7% YoY)**; China & Hong Kong **USD 1.56 billion (+39%)**, US **USD 1.25 billion (+8.7%)**, EU **USD 777 million**, Korea **USD 558 million**. ([vietfishmagazine.com](https://vietfishmagazine.com/news/vasep-vietnam-seafood-exports-on-track-for-usd-10-billion-in-2025-but-2026-poses-major-challenges.html?utm_source=openai))
- Price & margin trends:
- VASEP reports **mixed seafood price dynamics** moving into late 2025 and 2026: shrimp and squid prices relatively stable due to firm Asia/EU demand, while pangasius and tuna are under pressure from oversupply and competition. ([seafood.vasep.com.vn](https://seafood.vasep.com.vn/total-seafood-trade/news/fluctuating-seafood-prices-exports-face-pressure-from-technical-barriers-and-tariffs-34236.html?utm_source=openai))
- For 2026, both VASEP and Vietnam‑focused investment research flag:
- **Continued growth in volume but tighter margins** due to global oversupply, stricter US/EU regulations (IUU, food safety, labor, environmental), and higher transport and compliance costs. ([vietfishmagazine.com](https://vietfishmagazine.com/news/vasep-vietnam-seafood-exports-on-track-for-usd-10-billion-in-2025-but-2026-poses-major-challenges.html?utm_source=openai))
**US, EU, China demand signals – commodity‑specific**
- **US**:
- For seafood (shrimp, pangasius, tuna), 2025 US demand recovered somewhat but still faces “trade and regulatory pressures,” including anti‑dumping duties and farmed‑fish scrutiny; 2026 is expected to bring **major challenges** as pending and proposed measures (labor, IUU, climate‑related) take fuller effect. ([vietnam-briefing.com](https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnams-seafood-exports-growth-drivers-market-shifts-and-2026-outlook.html/?utm_source=openai))
- For rice and coffee, mainstream US demand is relatively stable but not a primary growth driver vs Asia/EU for rice or EU for coffee.
- **EU**:
- EVFTA keeps tariff conditions attractive for rice, coffee, and processed seafood, but the **EU IUU yellow card** and new ESG/traceability standards (including for deforestation‑free commodities) are constraining growth and raising costs, particularly for seafood and coffee. ([vietnam-briefing.com](https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnams-seafood-exports-growth-drivers-market-shifts-and-2026-outlook.html/?utm_source=openai))
- **China & Asia**:
- Rice: 2026 data show **Philippines and China dominating demand**; strong price‑sensitive buying as global rice prices soften. ([vnbis.com](https://vnbis.com/news/vietnam-rice-exports-in-early-2026-345/?utm_source=openai))
- Seafood: China/HK demand is robust, especially for **live and premium species (lobster, high‑grade shrimp)** supplied largely by Vietnam and routed through reefer/container chains into hospitality and food service. ([vietnam-briefing.com](https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnams-seafood-exports-growth-drivers-market-shifts-and-2026-outlook.html/?utm_source=openai))
**Key medium‑term (2026) commodity risks**
- **Price downside** for rice, pangasius, tuna, and potentially coffee from continued global oversupply. ([seafood.vasep.com.vn](https://seafood.vasep.com.vn/total-seafood-trade/news/fluctuating-seafood-prices-exports-face-pressure-from-technical-barriers-and-tariffs-34236.html?utm_source=openai))
- **Regulatory and tariff headwinds** in US/EU seafood markets (IUU yellow card, technical barriers, tariffs), pushing exporters toward Asia/CPTPP but concentrating risk there. ([vietnam-briefing.com](https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnams-seafood-exports-growth-drivers-market-shifts-and-2026-outlook.html/?utm_source=openai))
=== 3. [DEMAND SIGNALS] – VIETNAM FREIGHT FORWARDING, OCEAN RATES, CAPACITY & PORT CONDITIONS (LATE 2025–EARLY 2026) ===
**Global rate & capacity backdrop for Vietnam‑linked lanes**
- S&P Global and other market outlooks for 2026 highlight:
- **Overall softer container rates** vs 2024 peaks but with high volatility due to geopolitical risks, Red Sea/Suez routing changes, and port congestion. ([spglobal.com](https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/research/2026/02/2026-ocean-freight-outlook-softer-rates-ahead-but-volatility-is-not-going-anywhere?utm_source=openai))
- Two scenarios for 2026:
- Suez reopens smoothly → capacity loosens, rates drift lower.
- Continued disruption → tight effective capacity, elevated Asia–Europe and some transpacific rates. ([spglobal.com](https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/research/2026/02/2026-ocean-freight-outlook-softer-rates-ahead-but-volatility-is-not-going-anywhere?utm_source=openai))
- DHL’s January 2026 Ocean Freight Market Update (summarized in PortCalls and logistics media) expects **2026 average rates to remain broadly in line with H2‑2025**, with seasonal spikes (pre‑CNY) and persistent congestion on some lanes; effective capacity is reduced due to longer routes and bunching. ([logisticsmiddleeast.com](https://www.logisticsmiddleeast.com/transport/maritime/ocean-freight-outlook-points-to-prolonged-volatility-in-2026?utm_source=openai))
**Vietnam‑specific freight market commentary**
- A Vietnam‑based logistics provider’s late‑2025/early‑2026 market note describes a **“paradoxical” situation**: freight rates from Vietnam are declining, but logistics risks and uncertainty (detours, congestion, regulatory shocks) remain high. Drivers include:
- Global oversupply of container vessels following the 2021–23 order boom.
- Demand normalization in US/EU import markets.
- Routing disruptions around the Red Sea, causing schedule variability and spot congestion. ([kingelong.com.vn](https://www.kingelong.com.vn/blogs/market-news/ocean-freight-late-2025-early-2026-freight-rates-decline-but-logist?utm_source=openai))
- Vietnam logistics/port industry outlooks for 2026 conclude:
- **Spot freight rates on main Vietnam–US/EU lanes are under downward pressure** from fleet oversupply, though floors are supported by detour costs and fuel/environmental surcharges. ([mbs.com.vn](https://mbs.com.vn/files/uploads/2025/07/VN-Dynamicc-2H25_Seaport-EN.pdf?utm_source=openai))
- Carriers are increasingly strategic with capacity deployment; beneficial cargo owners (BCOs) and forwarders are urged to use **multi‑carrier, multi‑routing strategies** to reduce disruption risk. ([gocubic.io](https://www.gocubic.io/guides/market-intelligence/2026-freight-market-outlook?utm_source=openai))
**Capacity, container availability & port congestion (Hai Phong, Cat Lai, Cai Mep, transshipment hubs)**
- **Hai Phong**:
- 2025: 115.6 million tons handled (+8.7% YoY), 8.35 million TEU (+13%); target 9.1 million TEU in 2026. ([news.baohaiphong.vn](https://news.baohaiphong.vn/hai-phong-seaport-aims-to-handle-122-million-tons-of-cargo-in-2026-533328.html?utm_source=openai))
- Brokerage research projects **sharp capacity increases** at Lach Huyen deep‑sea terminals through 2025–26, which should **limit upward pressure on handling tariffs** and keep overall congestion manageable, despite strong throughput growth. ([gtjai.com.vn](https://gtjai.com.vn/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/EN-GTJASVN_Sector-Report_Port-Maritime-Transport_Positive_21.3.2025_Eng-ver.pdf?utm_source=openai))
- **Ho Chi Minh City / Cat Lai & Cai Mep–Thi Vai (CM‑TV)**:
- The CM‑TV cluster handles a high share of Vietnam’s deep‑sea mainline calls; due to stronger cargo demand, **handling tariffs here sit close to ceiling levels and are expected to be maintained or rise slightly from 2026**, which is a demand‑signal of relatively tight capacity. ([gtjai.com.vn](https://gtjai.com.vn/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/EN-GTJASVN_Sector-Report_Port-Maritime-Transport_Positive_21.3.2025_Eng-ver.pdf?utm_source=openai))
- Reported expectation that tariff adjustments for deep‑sea port services from **Q2 2026** will support revenue growth for operators, implying continued robust volume and relatively constrained capacity. ([mbs.com.vn](https://www.mbs.com.vn/files/uploads/2025/12/BCCL_2026_Nganh-Logistics_EN_20251225.pdf?utm_source=openai))
- **Transshipment via Singapore & other hubs**:
- While no Vietnam‑only transshipment figures are provided, global outlooks note that **hub ports such as Singapore are facing elevated congestion and schedule variability** when Red Sea diversions peak, influencing Vietnam‑origin cargo that transships there. ([logisticsmiddleeast.com](https://www.logisticsmiddleeast.com/transport/maritime/ocean-freight-outlook-points-to-prolonged-volatility-in-2026?utm_source=openai))
**Spot rate & contract trends relevant to Vietnam forwarders (2026)**
- Global freight outlooks aimed at shippers, which include Vietnam–US/EU lanes in their basket, recommend for 2026:
- Expect **rates roughly in H2‑2025 ranges**, with **quarterly review clauses** in contracts to align with indices (e.g., SCFI) and hedge volatility. ([gocubic.io](https://www.gocubic.io/guides/market-intelligence/2026-freight-market-outlook?utm_source=openai))
- Use a mix of **fixed‑rate contracts and spot exposure**; over‑commitment at fixed high rates is seen as risky given oversupply. ([gocubic.io](https://www.gocubic.io/guides/market-intelligence/2026-freight-market-outlook?utm_source=openai))
- Vietnam‑focused commentary points out that:
- The **oversupply of vessels** is eroding carriers’ pricing power on Asia–US and Asia–EU routes used by Vietnamese exporters.
- Yet **Red Sea‑related re‑routing and port congestion keep effective capacity tight enough** to avoid a collapse of rates, so forwarders still face volatility and need contingency routings. ([kingelong.com.vn](https://www.kingelong.com.vn/blogs/market-news/ocean-freight-late-2025-early-2026-freight-rates-decline-but-logist?utm_source=openai))
**Implications for Vietnam freight forwarding market (2026)**
- Forwarders serving export sectors (rice, coffee, seafood, garments, electronics) are operating in an environment where:
- **Volumes are growing** (notably seafood, rice, electronics) but shifting geographically more toward **Asia/CPTPP** rather than exclusively US/EU. ([seafoodsource.com](https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/vietnam-s-2025-seafood-exports-hit-record-high?utm_source=openai))
- **Ocean freight rates are lower than 2021–22 but unstable**, making margin management on buy/sell freight rates critical. ([kingelong.com.vn](https://www.kingelong.com.vn/blogs/market-news/ocean-freight-late-2025-early-2026-freight-rates-decline-but-logist?utm_source=openai))
- Investments in **deep‑sea capacity (Lach Huyen, CM‑TV expansion)** point to continued growth in containerized exports, with Hai Phong targeting 9.1 million TEU in 2026 and differentiated tariff regimes by port cluster. ([news.baohaiphong.vn](https://news.baohaiphong.vn/hai-phong-seaport-aims-to-handle-122-million-tons-of-cargo-in-2026-533328.html?utm_source=openai))
These dynamics collectively signal **solid underlying demand for Vietnam‑related forwarding and logistics services in 2026**, but with: price pressure on freight, heightened operational risk (routing, congestion), and increasing importance of compliance/logistics capabilities for regulated commodities like seafood and coffee.
Sources:
• Hai Phong seaport aims to handle 122 million tons of cargo in 2026
https://news.baohaiphong.vn/hai-phong-seaport-aims-to-handle-122-million-tons-of-cargo-in-2026-533328.html?utm_source=openai
• Industry Outlook | Sea port & Maritime transportation
https://mbs.com.vn/files/uploads/2025/07/VN-Dynamicc-2H25_Seaport-EN.pdf?utm_source=openai
• Tariffs weigh on container flows to the United States - TrasportoEuropa
https://www.trasportoeuropa.it/english/tariffs-weigh-on-container-flows-to-the-united-states/?utm_source=openai
• Tariffs weigh on container flows to the United States - TrasportoEuropa
https://www.trasportoeuropa.it/english/tariffs-weigh-on-container-flows-to-the-united-states/?utm_source=openai
• Vietnam’s 2025 seafood exports hit record high | SeafoodSource
https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/vietnam-s-2025-seafood-exports-hit-record-high?utm_source=openai
• Volume 10/2025
https://agro.gov.vn/images/files/2025_10_AFF_Export_EU_EN.pdf?utm_source=openai
• Vietnam’s Seafood Exports: Growth Drivers, Market Shifts, and Outlook
https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnams-seafood-exports-growth-drivers-market-shifts-and-2026-outlook.html/?utm_source=openai
• Vietnam’s 2025 seafood exports hit record high | SeafoodSource
https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/vietnam-s-2025-seafood-exports-hit-record-high?utm_source=openai
• Vietnam’s Seafood Exports: Growth Drivers, Market Shifts, and Outlook
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• Vietnam Rice Exports in Early 2026 - VNBIS
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• Vietnam’s 2025 seafood exports hit record high | SeafoodSource
https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/vietnam-s-2025-seafood-exports-hit-record-high?utm_source=openai