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…

Global supply chains are operating in a more stable position than at the peak of the Iran war, but conditions remain far from normal.  President Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire, tied to the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, has…

The global air freight market is entering a more critical phase, as a deepening jet fuel crisis begins to threaten operational stability through the second quarter and beyond. What initially appeared as a short-term shock linked to Middle East disruption…

For years, the road freight market has been under sustained pressure, shaped by a combination of post-Brexit structural change, rising costs and geopolitical disruption.  At the same time, there are early signs that the UK may begin to move closer…

The effective closure of key Gulf shipping routes has halted vessel access to major regional hubs, leaving ships anchored or diverted and forcing carriers to discharge cargo at alternative ports across Oman and the UAE. These ports are now acting…

Overland transport across the Middle East has moved from a contingency option to a critical component of regional supply chains, as disruption to ocean and air networks forces cargo onto road-based alternatives. The result is a rapidly tightening environment, where…

The UK economy is showing clear signs of slowing, with growing pressure on importers and exporters, as supply chain disruption and rising energy costs begin to feed through.  While headline indicators suggest marginal growth, underlying conditions point to a more…

The latest Global Trade Observatory Outlook, based on insights from more than 3,500 senior supply chain executives, highlights a contradictory confidence in trade growth, while the conditions that support growth are increasingly fragile. Global goods trade reached record levels in…

Middle East linked disruption extends well beyond the region, with growing implications for global supply chains.  As capacity tightens, routes are reconfigured and costs come under pressure, supply chains are entering a more complex and less predictable phase. Air freight…

Ocean freight spot rates are entering a more volatile phase, as Middle East disruption, port congestion and carrier pricing strategies combine to reshape conditions across the main east–west trade lanes. Recent market data shows a widening gap between how different…

As disruption across the Middle East continues to restrict traditional air and ocean routes, shippers are increasingly turning to road and road–air solutions to maintain cargo flow.  What began as a contingency response is now becoming a core part of…

Plans to reintroduce regular cross-Channel rail freight services are moving forward, signalling a potential shift in how goods move between the UK and mainland Europe.  As investment in infrastructure gathers pace, rail is re-emerging as a viable complement to established…

The process of refunding tariffs to US importers is beginning to take shape following the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down duties imposed under emergency powers.  US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is developing a dedicated system within its Automated…

Security incidents on 11 March have added further pressure to global freight networks already affected by disruption across the Middle East. A drone strike at the Port of Salalah in Oman hit fuel storage tanks, forcing the suspension of port…

The simultaneous disruption in the Persian Gulf and continued Red Sea avoidance is creating a supply chain shock without modern precedent. Metro’s latest application release is giving you unprecedented visibility. With vessels held or diverting, Gulf-bound cargo potentially discharging at…

The evolving security situation across the Middle East is now materially affecting both ocean and air freight networks, with implications extending far beyond the region itself. The Middle East is currently classified as high-risk for international transport operations, and the…

Birmingham International Airport, a long-standing strategic hub partner of Metro, has confirmed an ambitious growth programme that will strengthen its infrastructure and bolster its role in air cargo logistics and global connectivity. Building on years of collaborative development with Metro…

As global trade patterns shift and US tariffs reshape export economics, many UK fashion brands are re-evaluating where growth will come from next. For an increasing number, the answer is closer to home. The European Union — a £250bn clothing…