- Rhenus’ China-to-Europe ocean freight volumes rise around 26% year on year in 2026 to date
- New customer wins drive air freight growth in both directions, with Europe-to-China volumes up around 20%
- More than 550 employees and 16 offices in Greater China, linked to Rhenus’ European network, support the corridor
Rhenus has grown its ocean and air freight volumes between China and Europe in 2026 to date, in a market shaped by weaker air cargo demand, frequent shifts in capacity and changing EU–China trade policy.
Rhenus announces the growth figures ahead of its participation as an exhibitor at the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE), taking place in Shanghai from 5 to 10 November 2026.
In ocean freight, China–Europe, in both directions combined, is Rhenus’ largest trade lane by volume. In air freight, Europe is the main destination for the cargo Rhenus moves out of China. In both modes, sustaining growth means managing unequal cargo flows in each direction and frequent shifts in available capacity. Alongside these operational challenges, evolving EU–China trade policy can affect customers’ import costs and shipping decisions, adding uncertainty to longer-term planning.
Against this backdrop, Rhenus increased its China-to-Europe ocean freight volumes by around 26% year on year in 2026 to date.
“Our focus is on developing long-term customer relationships on this corridor. Bringing our teams in China and Europe together with our carrier partners gives us a stronger basis for understanding customers’ priorities and planning with them,” says Renee Toh, Global Head of Ocean Freight at Rhenus.
In air freight, new customer wins kept Rhenus' China-to-Europe volumes growing in a softer market, where e-commerce volumes fell 28% in July–August, according to Rotate. Eastbound, Rhenus increased its air freight volumes by around 20%, against a 5% year-on-year decline in Europe-to-China market demand in January–August 2026, according to the same source. High-tech is also one of Rhenus' fastest-growing air freight verticals on the China-to-Europe lane.
“Our strategy is to grow in sectors where specialist expertise makes a difference to customers’ businesses. High-tech is a clear priority on the China–Europe corridor. By combining sector knowledge with flexible access to airline capacity, we aim to turn this opportunity into sustained growth,” says Chris Bode, VP Air Freight at Rhenus.
Rhenus supports these activities through more than 550 employees and 16 offices across Greater China, linked to its European network. Air freight gateways in Shanghai and Hong Kong provide consolidation and cargo handling, complemented by customs brokerage, warehousing and inland transport to connect international shipments with local collection and distribution.
