Shippers are turning to dual-sourcing as a long-term strategy to build resilience into their supply chains. A recent swing in U.S. tariff policy within a 24-hour period where policies have been reversed and then reinstated, highlights the unpredictability of the global trade environment. According to Rohit Tripathi, Vice President of industry strategy, manufacturing at Relex
Evergreen Chairman Chang Yen-yi said U.S. West Coast ports, especially Los Angeles and Long Beach, could see heavier congestion in the coming weeks. He cited rising freight rates and the addition of more capacity by ocean carriers as key reasons. Speaking at the company’s annual meeting, Chang noted that the current 90-day pause in the
Operations are slowly resuming at Mexico’s busiest container port, Manzanillo, after a four-day strike by customs workers brought cargo movement to a standstill. The strike which began on May 12, caused an estimated $150 million in revenue losses and led to widespread disruption in logistics operations across the region. While some drayage trucks began moving
Port congestion across Europe continues to worsen, with Bremerhaven facing severe labor shortages and few alternatives for shippers. Forwarders report average wait times of five to six days, depending on the destination. Maersk has extended its contingency plan through the end of May, citing a sharper-than-expected drop in available labor during recent holidays such as
Amid capacity reductions on the Trans-Pacific, South America is gaining prominence as a strategic focus for global air cargo. At the IATA CNS conference in Miami, attendees were told the shift comes with big changes for the air cargo sector and that carriers and freight forwarders “need to know how it will impact the industry”.
China’s growing trade surplus with the European Union (EU) continues to raise concerns that the region is becoming a target for redirected exports. In the first four months of 2025, China’s trade surplus with the EU reached a record $90 billion, driven by a combination of tariff pressures from the U.S. and favorable currency conditions.
A ceasefire deal brokered by Oman between the U.S. and Yemen’s Houthi forces has raised cautious optimism for the shipping industry. Under the agreement, Houthi groups will stop attacking vessels in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait. However, they have stated that their campaign against Israel will continue. Security experts warn it is too
India and Pakistan have imposed mutual bans on cargo transiting through their respective ports . This follows the April 22 attack involving tourists in Kashmir. India’s full cargo ban on all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan took effect on May 2. Pakistan countered with a similar ban, allowing only pre-cleared shipments already in
The container shipping industry faces deep uncertainty amid a weakening global trade outlook. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) revised its U.S. GDP forecast for 2025 to 1.8%, down from 2.7%. The World Trade Organization (WTO) also expects global merchandise trade to shrink by -0.2% this year. Maritime analyst Drewry has downgraded its global port throughput