Current geopolitical tensions, notably the instability around the Strait of Hormuz and the massive congestion at the Singapore port hub, are profoundly disrupting the international supply chain. For Swiss small and medium-sized enterprises, this situation results in an unprecedented surge in ocean freight rates on strategic routes linking Asia to Europe. As the peak season rapidly approaches, anticipating these disruptions becomes a major challenge to maintain the competitiveness of your imports and guarantee the availability of your goods on the Swiss market.
Founded in 1988, Agence Fret Cargo provides you with over thirty-eight years of experience as a transport architect. Operating directly from the freight zone of Geneva Airport, we are proud to be members of SpedLogSwiss and accredited by IATA. We orchestrate each shipment to guarantee the secure arrival of your products on the required date, constantly optimising the combination of road, sea, and air transport modes to offer you the best added value in the face of global trade uncertainties.
1. Understanding the sharp rise in ocean freight rates
Persistent geopolitical instability forces many commercial vessels to deviate from their usual routes to avoid conflict zones. This considerable lengthening of maritime journeys generates a significant increase in fuel costs and immobilises a large part of the global fleet. At the same time, severe bottlenecks are forming in major Asian ports, drastically slowing down handling operations. The combination of these factors causes a sharp rise in ocean freight rates, seriously complicating the financial planning of French-speaking Swiss importers.
Beyond direct costs, this disorganisation leads to a marked shortage of empty equipment in Asia. Containers struggle to return to their points of origin, which limits the loading capacities available for new orders. Faced with this imbalance between sustained demand and restricted supply, shipping companies are imposing unforeseen surcharges, making the spot market extremely volatile and uncertain for the coming months.
2. Direct consequences for French-speaking Swiss SMEs
For companies in French-speaking Switzerland, this logistics inflation represents a major risk to profit margins and cash flow. Supply delays threaten not only the availability of finished products on the shelves, but also the continuity of production chains that depend on imported raw materials. The approach of the peak commercial demand period exacerbates this pressure on transport capacities.
It is therefore urgent to rethink your supply strategy and explore viable alternatives. Agence Fret Cargo strongly recommends diversifying your import routes and adapting your transport choices according to the criticality of each order. Proactive management of logistics flows is now essential to navigate this turbulent period without compromising the satisfaction of your own customers.
3. Comparison of routing solutions to Switzerland
Faced with the uncertainty surrounding standard ocean freight rates via Northern Europe, several strategic alternatives are available to you. The optimal choice will depend on the urgency of your shipment, the nature of your goods, and your logistics budget.
| Transport mode | Estimated transit time | Relative cost | Current reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional ocean freight (North) | Very long | Rising sharply | Low to moderate |
| Ocean freight South + Rail | Moderate | Competitive | High |
| Sea-Air hybrid | Fast | Intermediate | Very high |
| IATA Air freight | Very fast | High | Maximum |
As this table illustrates, a flexible approach is essential to navigate the current context. To further consider your choice of transport mode, we invite you to consult our detailed guide: [Air or ocean freight to Switzerland: the essential guide for 2026](air-or-sea-freight-to-switzerland-guide-2026).
4. Bypassing via Southern ports and transalpine rail
A particularly effective strategy for Swiss importers is to avoid saturated Northern European ports by favouring Mediterranean terminals such as Genoa or Trieste. Unloading your goods in these Southern ports allows you to bypass much of the continental congestion and shorten the overall maritime journey from Asia.
From these Italian maritime infrastructures, the excellent transalpine rail network, passing through the Gotthard or the Simplon, takes over to transport your containers directly and ecologically to Switzerland. This multimodal combination offers an excellent compromise: it stabilises your transport costs while guaranteeing more reliable delivery times to your warehouses in French-speaking Switzerland.
5. The Sea-Air hybrid alternative via the Middle East
When strict maritime deadlines can no longer be met due to accumulated delays, but your company's budget does not allow for a fully air-freighted shipment, the sea-air multimodal solution stands out as the ideal alternative. This innovative model allows you to control the impact of ocean freight rates while considerably accelerating delivery.
In practical terms, your goods first travel by ship from Asian ports to an efficient transit hub in the Middle East, usually Dubai. Upon arrival, they are quickly cleared through transit customs and transferred to cargo planes bound directly for Geneva Airport. This synergy divides transit times compared to an exclusively maritime journey, offering a breath of fresh air to your supply chain.
6. Using air freight for high-value goods
For high-value-added products, critical components, or urgent orders, air freight remains the safest and most expeditious route. Although this mode is subject to various complex pricing structures, such as the fuel surcharge indexed to the Rotterdam market and the mandatory security tax, air transport guarantees incomparable logistical fluidity in the face of maritime crises.
As an accredited freight forwarder, Agence Fret Cargo manages all administrative and customs formalities for you. It is important to note that since 1 January 2025, the import value exemption in Switzerland is set at CHF 150, a threshold below which no VAT or customs duty is collected. Finally, as carrier liability is often limited, we strongly advise you to take out all-risk transport insurance through us in order to fully protect the capital of your shipments.
Contact Agence Fret Cargo
📍 Voie-des-Traz 20, 1215 Le Grand-Saconnex (Geneva Airport) 📞 +41 22 798 68 00 📧 hello@fretcargo.com
Any rates and transit times mentioned are indicative market estimates, subject to final confirmation based on your shipment details, the commodity, and current market conditions.
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