A recent Sea-Intelligence report has revealed that ship capacity on the major East-West trade routes has become increasingly unpredictable since 2020. These large fluctuations in shipping capacity on key trade routes pose challenges for ports. “This increased ‘lumpiness’ in cargo flows creates operational challenges for ports and terminals, which are designed to handle a smooth
Ocean carriers have been advised to exercise “extreme caution” following the expanded threats from Yemen’s Houthi militia to include all ships linked to companies that call at Israeli ports, including Haifa. Destine Ozuygur, chief analyst at maritime platform eeSea, described this development as a “turning point”, with the target net significantly broadened. “They’re threatening any
Beginning October 14, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will implement new fees on vessels linked to China, including those that are Chinese-owned, operated, or built. For Chinese-owned or operated vessels, fees will start at $50 per net ton for any ship calling at a U.S. gateway, rising to $140 per ton by April
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