Trade tensions, excess vessel capacity, and softening demand are dampening the container shipping marketing outlook for the second half of 2025. Ocean carriers are adjusting their full-year profit forecasts downwards as these challenges weigh on performance and expectations for a strong peak season diminish. Japan’s Ocean Network Express (ONE) revised its full-year net profit projection
U.S. rail operators, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, have agreed to an $85 billion merger that would create the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S., aiming to close the deal by early 2027. The merged company will retain the Union Pacific name and will link Union Pacific’s Western network with Norfolk Southern’s Eastern routes. According
Matson Inc, the U.S. owned carrier operating in the Pacific has suspended all transport of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles across its fleet, citing safety concerns over lithium-ion batteries. The move comes in the wake of several dangerous fires at sea linked to electric vehicles (EVs), including the recent June sinking of the Morning Midas
Yang Ming Marine Transport is expanding its fleet with three new 8,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel-ready containerships. These vessels, to be built by Japan’s Nihon Shipyard, are scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2030. The deal is valued between $351 million and $394 million, as disclosed in a recent stock exchange filing. Yang Ming is continuing to
The C919 is China’s first domestically developed narrow-body passenger jet, manufactured by the state-run Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). This development marks a significant step toward greater technological independence for China and may influence the global aviation market. According to the American Journal of Transportation, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) pointed out it still
The U.S. LTL freight classification system is about to change. On July 19, 2025, the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) will roll out a restructured version of the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC). This is the most significant overhaul in nearly 90 years. The update centers on a shift to density-based freight classes. Thousands
Insights from Chris Blowers, General Manager, Shipco UK In logistics, smaller freight forwarders sometimes question if global consolidators see value in their limited cargo volumes. Often, there is a perception that global operators prefer larger customers with predictable, high-volume shipments. However, at Shipco, the story is quite different. Smaller forwarders are essential customers who receive
Guide to the NMFC Changes Effective July 19, 2025 The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) is set to implement a significant overhaul of the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system on July 19, 2025. The NMFTA is shifting to a density-based classification system, meaning how much space your shipment takes up will matter more
A new study from Sea-Intelligence revealed that the size and connectivity of ports are not correlated to their reliability. Examining over 14 years of vessel call data from 202 major deep-sea ports, the study ranked port performance based on schedule reliability. It placed greater emphasis on data from recent years, as a better indicator of
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