Dear Customers and Partners,
We are pleased to share our weekly market intelligence update covering ocean freight conditions in the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), the Caribbean Basin, and the regional trade lanes most relevant to your operations. This edition expands our break-bulk coverage across U.S. and Mexican origins and includes a focused note on the Venezuela corridor.
Compare with previous editions: Issue 05 — July 17 · Issue 04 — July 10 · Issue 03 — July 3 · Issue 02 — June 26
1 Global Ocean Freight Snapshot
Container rates are easing for the first time since April — the early peak season is unwinding and carriers are adding capacity. But a second story is now driving our region's costs: the Iran conflict, into its second week of daily strikes, is pushing fuel sharply higher. Approximate levels below, per published Freightos market commentary (week of July 22, 2026):
| Trade Lane | Current Rate | Weekly Change | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asia → US West Coast | ~$7,050/FEU | −6% | ↓ Easing |
| Asia → US East Coast | ~$9,000/FEU | Flat | → Peaking |
| Asia → N. Europe | ~$5,700/FEU | −2% | ↓ Easing |
| Asia → Mediterranean | ~$6,750/FEU | −4% | ↓ Easing |
Macro drivers — demand cools while war heats the fuel bill. On the demand side, the red-hot June/early-July peak is deflating: carriers are adding capacity and spot rates are finally slipping (Far East congestion from Typhoon Bavi is the only thing slowing the descent). Normally that would mean cheaper freight into the Caribbean. But the Iran war is working against it. Ten straight days of US–Iran strikes have slowed the Strait of Hormuz to a trickle, the conflict has spread to the Bab el Mandeb, and the Houthis have declared the Red Sea closed to Saudi-linked vessels. The result: oil is up ~20% from early-July lows and bunker prices are up 12% in three weeks — jet fuel is now ~50% above pre-war levels.
Here is the key point for our trade: the relief you would expect from cooling demand may not reach your invoice, because it is being offset by a war-driven fuel spike. Bunkers feed straight into the BAF on every lane — including South Florida, U.S. Gulf and Mexico to the Caribbean, Venezuela and Colombia — so as base ocean rates ease, the BAF component is climbing. Net effect for August cargo: expect all-in Caribbean rates to hold roughly steady rather than fall, and watch for BAF revisions on any "market"-rate booking. This is the week to fix BAF terms in writing.
2 Gulf of America & Caribbean Basin — FCL Container Rates
Firm-to-tightening conditions as we move deeper into summer peak. Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) — the #1 US port for Caribbean trade, processing 1.16M+ TEUs in FY2025 — remains the primary gateway. Kingston (KCT), the region's main transshipment hub, continues to normalize after the 2024–25 congestion.
Indicative FCL ocean freight — South Florida to Caribbean (week of July 24, 2026):
| Destination | Main Port | 20ft (TEU) | 40ft (FEU) | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bahamas | Nassau / Freeport | $1,050–1,900 | $1,700–2,800 | 2–4 days |
| Dominican Republic | Rio Haina | $1,400–2,350 | $2,000–3,450 | 4–6 days |
| Haiti | Port-au-Prince | $1,600–2,550 | $2,250–3,650 | 4–7 days |
| Jamaica | Kingston | $1,600–2,600 | $2,350–3,900 | 5–8 days |
| Trinidad & Tobago | Port of Spain | $2,100–3,400 | $2,950–4,700 | 9–14 days |
| Colombia | Cartagena / B'quilla | $1,850–2,900 | $2,500–4,150 | 7–12 days |
| Panama | Colón / Balboa | $1,550–2,450 | $2,200–3,450 | 5–8 days |
Indicative port-to-port ocean freight only. BAF, THC, documentation and surcharges additional.
3 Break-Bulk & LCL Rates by Origin
Break-bulk and LCL cargo is quoted per Revenue Ton (RT) on a W/M basis — the higher of 1 metric ton (1,000 kg) or 1 cubic meter (CBM). Rates below are indicative ranges for general break-bulk and LCL; project, heavy-lift and out-of-gauge cargo are quoted separately. Venezuela attracts the region's highest risk premium.
| Destination | Per Revenue Ton (RT) | Transit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venezuela (Pto Cabello / La Guaira) | $135–210 | 10–16 days | Incl. risk surcharge · OFAC clearance required |
| Dominican Republic (Rio Haina) | $70–130 | 6–9 days | — |
| Colombia (Cartagena / B'quilla) | $85–150 | 7–11 days | — |
| Panama (Colón) | $80–140 | 6–9 days | — |
| Destination | Per Revenue Ton (RT) | Transit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venezuela (Pto Cabello / La Guaira) | $130–200 | 8–14 days | Incl. risk surcharge · OFAC clearance required |
| Dominican Republic (Rio Haina) | $55–110 | 4–7 days | Shortest Caribbean transit |
| Colombia (Cartagena / B'quilla) | $80–140 | 7–12 days | — |
| Panama (Colón) | $75–135 | 5–8 days | — |
| Destination | Per Revenue Ton (RT) | Transit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venezuela (Pto Cabello / La Guaira) | $150–230 | 12–18 days | Incl. risk surcharge · OFAC clearance required |
| Dominican Republic (Rio Haina) | $80–145 | 6–9 days | — |
| Colombia (Cartagena / B'quilla) | $95–165 | 9–13 days | — |
| Panama (Colón) | $90–155 | 8–11 days | — |
| Destination | Per Revenue Ton (RT) | Transit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venezuela (Pto Cabello / La Guaira) | $120–195 | 9–15 days | Incl. risk surcharge · OFAC clearance required |
| Dominican Republic (Rio Haina) | $75–135 | 6–9 days | — |
| Colombia (Cartagena / B'quilla) | $85–150 | 7–11 days | — |
| Panama (Colón) | $80–145 | 6–10 days | — |
| Destination | Per Revenue Ton (RT) | Transit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venezuela (Pto Cabello / La Guaira) | $125–200 | 9–15 days | Incl. risk surcharge · OFAC clearance required |
| Dominican Republic (Rio Haina) | $78–138 | 6–9 days | — |
| Colombia (Cartagena / B'quilla) | $88–152 | 7–11 days | — |
| Panama (Colón) | $82–148 | 6–10 days | — |
Indicative break-bulk / LCL ranges per revenue ton (W/M). Actual rates depend on commodity, volume, stowage, packaging and port conditions. Project and heavy-lift cargo quoted separately. Contact us for a firm quotation.
4 Route Focus: Venezuela — Puerto Cabello & La Guaira
Our specialty lane. Puerto Cabello (Carabobo) and La Guaira (serving Caracas) are Venezuela's two principal commercial ports, handling containers, break-bulk and project cargo. Indicative container freight from the U.S. Gulf (June 2026):
| Service | Estimated Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft Container (TEU) | $2,300–3,700 | Peak premium + Venezuela risk surcharge |
| 40ft Container (FEU) | $3,300–5,300 | Subject to OFAC clearance before booking |
| Break-Bulk / LCL (per RT) | $130–210 | Reflects sanctions environment, limited carriers |
| Transit Time | 10–18 days | Often via transshipment (Curaçao / Kingston) |
Commercial shipping from the U.S. to Venezuela is subject to active U.S. Treasury OFAC sanctions. While cargo is not categorically prohibited, it requires strict compliance: (1) full SDN screening of all parties; (2) no shipments to government-owned or controlled entities without a specific OFAC license; (3) restricted USD payment channels; and (4) complete booking details at time of request — no blind bookings. All Venezuela cargo is subject to independent OFAC compliance review and carrier pre-approval before any booking is confirmed. Stella Line strongly recommends that customers obtain independent legal and sanctions-compliance counsel before proceeding, and does not itself provide legal or sanctions-compliance advice.
5 Outlook & Commercial Recommendations
Book early — peak-season pressure is real. Capacity is tight and rates are rising on multiple lanes. Secure July/August space and rates as early as possible; waiting for spot rates to drop is a high-risk strategy now.
Lock in rates where possible. For recurring Caribbean cargo, consider a short-term (30–90 day) contract rate. Spot rates are volatile and likely to keep rising through Q3 2026.
Budget conservatively for fuel. A gradual Strait of Hormuz reopening may ease bunker costs eventually, but not soon — do not assume surcharges drop in Q3.
Venezuela — prepare compliance first. OFAC screening and carrier pre-approval must be complete before any booking. Allow 3–5 business days lead time for compliance processing; do not commit to customers before confirming carrier acceptance.
Project & break-bulk windows. For oversized or heavy-lift cargo, June–early July may still offer reasonable rates on smaller-vessel feeder trades before peak fully materializes. Contact us to discuss vessel options.
Stella Line remains available to assist with cargo brokerage, vessel chartering, freight quotations and market consulting for the Gulf of America, Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and northern South America trades.
Warm regards,
Stella Line LLC — Commercial & Market Intelligence Desk
contact@stella-line.com
Need a firm quote on any of these lanes?
Tell us your cargo, origin and destination — we'll come back within one business day.
Request a Shipment Quote