The World Shipping Council’s (WSC) latest annual report on containers lost at sea reveals that 576 containers were lost in 2024. This figure is more than double the 221 containers lost in 2023, although it remains below the 10-year average of 1,274 containers lost. The increase in losses is primarily attributed to trade rerouting around
The UK government is backing key port expansion efforts to drive job growth and economic gains, supported by strong long-term trade forecasts. New amendments to the National Policy Statement for Ports have been proposed to expedite planning approvals and reduce costs for port operators. These changes are aimed at enabling ports to proceed confidently with
As the July 9 tariff pause imposed by the U.S. approaches, demand for airfreight out of Asia is rising sharply, even as ocean freight volumes fall. Freight forwarders have reported a surge in bookings, not from China, but from markets like Taiwan and Southeast Asia, where capacity is tightening. An executive at a global forwarder
Shipping analysts predict the Trans-Pacific market is heading into a downturn, while the Asia-Europe trade is gaining strength. U.S. importers frontloaded goods earlier this year to get ahead of tariff hikes, which has left inventories full. As a result, demand for the rest of 2025 on the Trans-Pacific is expected to weaken, pulling down freight
Insights from Diane Kaiser, Shipco’s General Manager, USA Sales In freight forwarding, most problems do not arise from major events but rather from minor issues, such as missed updates, slow responses, and a lack of clarity when delays occur. Over time, these gaps erode trust. At Shipco, the focus on customer experience is centered around
Airfreight capacity in the Middle East has declined sharply since the Israel-Iran conflict began, leading to a global reduction in available space. According to data provider Rotate’s database, widebody capacity for both belly and freighter has fallen by 100% in Iran and Syria. Iraq is down by -84%, Israel by -78%, Jordan by -43%, and
Cargo delays continue at Mexico’s Port of Manzanillo more than a month after a four-day customs strike. Despite measures such as longer weekend hours and increased customs staffing, congestion has not improved. Ships are now waiting 1.8 days to dock – the longest delay recorded this year, according to Vizion and Dun & Bradstreet. One
Cargo volumes dipped sharply at Southern California’s container ports in May, reflecting continued disruption from tariff policies and shifting global trade patterns. The Port of Long Beach handled 639,160 TEUs, down -8.2% year-over-year. Imports dropped -13.4% to 299,116 TEUs, while exports fell -18.6% to 82,149 TEUs. The only growth came from empty containers, which rose
Rising tensions in the Middle East have sparked new warnings for the global shipping industry. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which monitors and delivers maritime security information, has advised vessels to use caution when passing through the Arabian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz. The UKMTO advisory follows the
Ports in Northern Europe are facing their worst crisis since the pandemic. Key gateways like Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, and Bremerhaven are overwhelmed with congestion and delays. As of June 13, 2025, the situation remains critical. Several problems are stacking up at once. Strikes, rail closures, carrier alliance shifts, and low inland water levels have combined
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