Commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea is facing renewed disruption with 14 Iranian attacks on vessels since June 25th, the breakdown of the US-Iran ceasefire and a Houthi threat to target Saudi-linked shipping in the Bab…

Global air freight markets continue to outperform expectations, but the balance between supply and demand remains fragile.  What began as a short-term disruption following renewed conflict in the Middle East has evolved into a more structural capacity challenge, keeping rates…

The UK’s trade agenda continues to gather momentum, creating new opportunities for businesses trading internationally, while reshaping the way they access global markets.  The most recent agreements with major trading partners across Asia-Pacific, the Gulf, North America and Europe have…

For much of the recent past, freight markets have lurched from one disruption to another. Pandemic recovery, conflict in the Red Sea, tariff uncertainty and conflict in the Middle East have each triggered periods of higher freight rates before conditions…

Ocean freight from India has entered a period of intense demand, with tightening vessel space, rising freight rates and increasing competition for capacity across both European and North American trade lanes. For businesses diversifying manufacturing away from China or expanding…

From 8 July, regulated consumer products entering the US must be supported by electronic compliance certificates filed at the time of customs entry, turning missing or inaccurate information into a direct threat to supply chain continuity. This is not a…

US trade policy is once again shifting, and this time the uncertainty is centred not just on what duties apply, but how long they will last and what might be added next.  Importers face a confusing mix of “temporary” measures…

Metro’s LCL Optimised Solution lets shippers move smaller, more frequent orders without paying for empty container space, freeing up working capital and easing the current squeeze on capacity. As peak season tightens capacity across the major east-west container trades, many…

The UK’s incoming steel trade measures are set to reshape import dynamics almost overnight, with significant cost and compliance implications for manufacturers, construction firms, and industrial supply chains. From 1 July 2026, the UK will replace its current steel safeguards…

President Trump’s new customs enforcement drive is turning DDP and other seller‑controlled models into a high‑risk area, especially where duties are undervalued or the true importer of record is unclear. The 3 June 2026 “Strengthening Customs Enforcement” executive order marks…

Port congestion in North Europe and East Asia is increasingly a two-ended problem: weather and capacity issues at origin delay departures, and when those same vessels finally reach port in Europe, they miss their planned berths and are forced to…

Container shipping normally follows a traditional demand curve, with rates climbing into Chinese New Year, softening through spring, and then building towards a Q3 peak. But not this year. The crisis around the Strait of Hormuz is introducing an extra…

China is rewiring the legal framework around its ports and supply chains and that matters for every UK shipper moving goods to, from or via China.  Two new sets of rules in 2026 change who controls disputes, how far you…

The UK automotive industry is urging the European Union to preserve close manufacturing integration with Britain as Brussels advances new industrial policies designed to strengthen European supply chains and accelerate domestic electric vehicle production. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and…

On 13 May 2026, the King’s Speech set out the government’s plans for the next Parliamentary session, including efforts to reset post-Brexit relations, forge closer economic ties with the EU and reduce unnecessary barriers to trade. The reset is not…

Container shipping markets appear to be entering an earlier and increasingly fragmented peak season, as geopolitical disruption, rising fuel costs and tighter carrier capacity management reshape freight demand across major trade lanes. Bookings on several east-west corridors strengthened earlier than…

Global freight markets remain heavily influenced by instability across the Middle East, with disruption to ocean and air networks sustaining elevated costs, longer transit times and growing operational volatility.  Restricted energy flows are continuing to drive sharp increases in bunker…

The extension of the US–Iran ceasefire has done little to stabilise operating conditions in the region, with last week’s seizure of two MSC-managed container vessels by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the Strait of Hormuz.  The incident highlight the…

With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, crude oil can still exist within the region, but refined products, which includes marine fuel, jet fuel and diesel, can no longer move freely to key consumption markets, which has triggered a sharp…

Airfreight markets have undergone a prolonged period of elevated pricing since the start of Middle East hostilities and despite softer demand in recent weeks spot rates have continued to rise sharply.  Global spot rate indices are up by more than…

A significant shift in the legal framework governing global shipping comes into force on 1 May 2026, as China implements revisions to its Maritime Code.  While the changes are designed to align with international standards, their practical effect is to…