Maritime shipping routes to South America continue to post elevated freight rates, climbing 8.43% to reach USD 10,757 per FEU from Ho Chi Minh City. In response to rising shipping costs, VASEP recommends that seafood enterprises proactively book slots early to mitigate risks and unexpected expenses.

According to an update from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), container freight rates from Vietnam during the week of September 8–14, 2026, remained broadly stable overall but continued to diverge sharply across different routes. The composite Vietnam Container Freight Index (VCFI) for export containers reached USD 4,912/FEU, edging up 0.06% compared to the previous week.

Accordingly, South America was the most expensive route, with freight rates from Ho Chi Minh City climbing to USD 10,757/FEU, an increase of 8.43%. Rates to the US West Coast and East Coast edged up slightly, while routes to Northern Europe and the Mediterranean dropped by 6.10% and 6.48%, respectively. The Middle East route remains difficult to forecast due to volatile rates, unstable sailing schedules, and security risks in the Strait of Hormuz.

Between Weeks 38 and 42, an estimated 79 blank sailings are scheduled, equivalent to 11% of total planned voyages, concentrated mainly on Trans-Pacific and Asia–Europe services. While Vietnam has not recorded widespread shortages of 40RF reefer containers, enterprises may still encounter localized pinches regarding vessel space, allocations, reefer plug capacity, and container rollover risks.

Confronted with escalating ocean freight rates on routes to South America, VASEP advises seafood enterprises to proactively secure bookings early and clearly confirm sailing schedules and transshipment ports.

In particular, when receiving quotations for 40RF containers, businesses should insist on all-in packages that fully account for surcharges, plug-in fees, container detention and demurrage, and inland refrigerated drayage.

Vietnam's seafood exports in August 2026 reached USD 1.14 billion, a 6% increase year-on-year, bringing cumulative eight-month turnover to USD 8 billion, up 11.8%.

Over the past eight months, shipments to China and Hong Kong remained the primary growth engine, pulling in USD 2.03 billion, up 33.4% and accounting for 25.35% of total turnover. Compared to the same period last year, this market brought in an additional USD 508.6 million, representing more than 60% of the entire sector's net expansion.

Meanwhile, exports to the US remained virtually flat at USD 1.24 billion. Shrimp and pangasius sustained steep declines, whereas tuna, crabs, and mollusks maintained positive growth.

In the EU, exports slipped 1.6% to USD 749.9 million, driven down largely by softening demand for shrimp and tuna. Conversely, exports to Japan rose 2% to USD 1.11 billion, while South Korea climbed 4.9% to USD 566.3 million. ASEAN also proved a bright spot, posting USD 544.9 million, a 20% increase.

Anchored by eight-month performance and year-end demand prospects, VASEP projects that the target of surpassing USD 12 billion in seafood exports in 2026 remains attainable, provided demand from China and Hong Kong holds firm and peak-season orders face no major disruptions.

Source: Bao Tai chinh - Dau tu