Container Shipping Faces Prolonged Excess Capacity
The container shipping industry is set for several years of structural oversupply, which will put significant downward pressure on rates, with fleet growth consistently outpacing cargo demand until the end of the decade.
Analysts point to a combination of record vessel orders and limited scrap...
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Air Freight Demand Surges on Tariff Pressures but Challenges Persists
Global air cargo markets have entered an unusual mid-summer upswing as US importers accelerated shipments to avoid rising tariffs. July volumes rose strongly against seasonal norms, fuelled by front-loading, modal shift from ocean to air, and persistent trade uncertainty.
The sharp increase in...
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Tariff Front-loading Pushes US Imports from Record Highs to Year-End Declines
After setting an all-time monthly record for container imports in July, US retailers are bracing for a sharp reversal to close out 2025, with volumes projected to tumble nearly 20% year on year through the holiday season.
The National Retail Federation’s (NRF) latest Global Port Tracker show...
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H1 2025: Six Developments Reshaping Global Trade
The first half of 2025 has been one of the most turbulent periods for supply chains in recent memory. From renewed tariff wars to fresh geopolitical flashpoints, logistics professionals have had to contend with a constantly shifting landscape.
At the same time, structural challenges around ski...
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August 2025 Tariff Situation: New Rules, New Rates
The US tariff reset that took effect from has ushered in a tiered regime targeting dozens of trading partners, while locking in new agreements with key allies including the UK and EU. The measures follow months of negotiation and a deadline that forced countries to strike deals or face steep duti...
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Front‑Loading and Hidden Inventory Disrupt Traditional Peak Season
The traditional second‑half transpacific cargo peak is unlikely to materialise this year as a wave of accelerated shipments in the first half of 2025 has drained demand from the later months, while significant volumes of hidden inventory remain stalled in supply chains.
In the first half of ...
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Tighter Transshipment Rules Put Southeast Asia’s Supply Chains Under the Spotlight
The latest US trade agreements have introduced tougher measures targeting the rerouting of Chinese goods, reflecting heightened scrutiny on supply chain flows through Southeast Asia.
While these rules are designed to curb “origin washing” — the mislabelling of goods to disguise their tru...
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US–EU Trade Deal Signals New Trade Era
The US and EU have agreed a landmark trade framework taking effect 1 August, with a 15% baseline tariff, replacing many higher existing rates.
In addition to lowering tariffs the new trade deal opens markets, and pledges huge investment flows, with significant opportunities for UK traders able...
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Transatlantic Air Cargo: Calm Surface, Hidden Currents
The transatlantic air cargo market may appear steady, with stable capacity and rates, but beneath this surface calm, subtle shifts are reshaping flows, costs, and opportunities, especially on niche routes like Canada–Europe and Mexico–Europe.
While wide-body and freighter capacity from Eur...
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U.S. RoRo Port Fees Set to Disrupt Automotive Logistics
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has confirmed it will introduce new fees on foreign-built roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) car carriers calling at U.S. ports from October 14, 2025, as part of a broader push to counter China’s maritime influence.
The initial fee of $150 per Car Equivalent Unit (C...
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Europe Builds Momentum as Trans-Pacific Slowdown Deepens
Global container shipping is evolving rapidly, with Asia–Europe trade lanes showing fresh strength just as the transpacific market enters a significant slowdown. This divergence is creating new challenges and opportunities for shippers.
On the Asia–Europe route, demand has been steadily ri...
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US Customs Reforms Raise Questions on HTS Entries and Transshipped Goods
Businesses responsible for customs clearing goods into the US are adjusting to two significant Customs and Border Protection (CBP) changes that could affect classification practices and the treatment of goods in transit.
Firstly, CBP has expanded the number of Harmonised Tariff Schedule (HTS) ...
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