Global Mobility Advisory
Global transportation conditions remain fluid, and household goods (HHG) move planning is being affected by a mix of geopolitical uncertainty, constrained routing options, and rising fuel and capacity costs.
Based on the latest market intelligence shared with WHR, here are the key developments we’re monitoring and what they may mean for your mobility program in the weeks ahead.
Cost Pressure: Air Rates and Fuel Surcharges are Climbing
Cost escalation is not isolated to one lane. WHR is seeing air freight pricing increases in select markets that are multiples of what they were earlier this spring, driven by tight capacity and disruption-related rerouting. In the U.S., van line fuel surcharges are also elevated. WHR’s whitepaper on the rising costs of household goods shipments provides useful background on the structural factors driving these trends.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) ATLAS program published Household Goods fuel surcharge is listed at 34.5% for the current effective period (and can move with weekly diesel pricing). This combination can influence overall move budgets, especially for time-sensitive shipments or peak-season bookings.
WHR’s Move Management Platform: Domestic Fuel Surcharge at a Record High
For U.S. domestic shipments utilizing WHR’s single factor rate (SFR) via the Move Management Platform (MMP), the fuel surcharge is currently at 17%, which is the highest level WHR has ever recorded for this program.
For context, the WHR SFR fuel surcharge held in the 3-4% range throughout all of 2025. It rose to 5% in March 2026, then climbed sharply to 17% in April, which is a level it has maintained into May.
In practical terms, if a WHR SFR transportation charge comes out to $10,000, the fuel surcharge applied on top would be $1,700 at the current rate.
The surcharge is determined by benchmark diesel prices. WHR monitors the average U.S. diesel fuel price on the first Monday of each month, and where that price lands determines the surcharge in place for that period. With diesel prices elevated well above their 2025 levels, mobility teams should incorporate this into any domestic move cost projections that utilize the MMP single-factor rate.
Middle East and Red Sea: Limited Change in Corridor Access
Despite frequent headlines, access conditions in and around the Red Sea/Suez corridor have not materially normalized. While some vessels have recently moved through the Suez Canal, those movements largely reflect ships that were already queued or stranded earlier in the disruption. As of this update, the canal’s broader operating status remains uncertain, and even after a meaningful reopening, supply chains may require up to six months to stabilize as schedules, equipment, and capacity rebalance. Mobility teams managing assignments in the region may find WHR’s overview of international relocation challenges a useful reference as conditions continue to evolve.
How HHG Shipments are Moving Right Now
Most ports in the Middle East region remain operational, and relocations are continuing. However, routing decisions are increasingly shifting toward air and land freight where feasible, which can help maintain movement but often comes with higher costs and longer or less predictable transit times. Understanding the full scope of what goes into a coordinated household goods shipment and storage plan becomes especially relevant when standard ocean routes face disruption.
As a result, employees may see extended delivery windows, and mobility teams may need additional flexibility on required-by dates for temporary living and shipment arrival.
What Mobility Teams Can Do Now
- Start moves earlier than usual. Early initiation increases the likelihood of securing preferred pack/load dates before summer capacity tightens
- Plan for schedule flexibility. Build in buffer time for shipment delivery, especially for lanes impacted by rerouting or modal shifts
- Review budget assumptions. Ensure cost models account for higher fuel surcharges (including the record 17% fuel surcharge) and the possibility of premium routing (air/land) in constrained markets. WHR’s employee relocation cost containment resources can help teams identify where flexibility is possible without compromising the employee experience
- Set employee expectations proactively. Clear guidance on timelines, what’s controllable, and what may change reduces escalations and improves the relocating employee experience. Employees managing move logistics on their own can also find practical guidance at SimpleMove’s guide to saving money on a move, which covers cost strategies that apply even in volatile market conditions
At-a-glance: key takeaways
- Middle East: Most ports remain operational, but transit times are still elevated, and routing often relies more heavily on air and land options
- Freight pricing: Rates continue to trend upward globally, with pronounced spikes in certain air freight lanes
- U.S. fuel: Van line fuel surcharges remain high. DOE’s Household Goods fuel surcharge is currently listed at 34.5% and may continue to fluctuate. The U.S. domestic fuel surcharge has reached a record high of 17%: build this into domestic move cost projections.
How WHR Global Will Support Your Mobility Program
As peak moving season approaches, earlier planning and realistic timeline and budget assumptions will help reduce disruption for both your program team and your relocating employees. Relocation Management Company (RMC), WHR Global, will continue to monitor conditions with our supplier network and share material updates as they emerge. Learn more about WHR’s global mobility services and how our team can support your program through evolving market conditions. Relocating employees can also explore SimpleMove’s relocation services for self-service tools and resources designed to simplify every step of the move experience.
Note: This update is provided for general informational purposes and reflects current conditions reported at the time of writing. Routing, capacity, and pricing can change quickly by lane and provider.