The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has proposed fees on Chinese-built vessels entering U.S. ports. The plan includes fees up to $1.5 million per port call for Chinese-built ships and $1 million for operators of these vessels. Public comments are open until March 24, after which a decision will be made. Most ocean-going ships would pay
Los Angeles and Long Beach ports achieved their strongest January performance as importers rushed to move cargo ahead of anticipated tariff increases on goods from China, Canada, and Mexico. The Port of LA moved 924,245 TEUs, up 8% from last year, said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. Import containers rose 9.5% to 483,831
Shipping in the Red Sea remains uncertain, despite a slight rise in traffic. Security concerns are still keeping most vessels on longer routes around Africa. Although no merchant ships have been attacked this year, threats persist as Yemen’s Houthis warn they may resume attacks on vessels should the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas collapse. The
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its global trade growth projections downward in their January 2025 World Economic Outlook (WEO) report. According to Sea-Intelligence, the IMF projected that global trade growth is expected to reach 3.2% in 2025 and 3.3% in 2026, both of which are lower than historical average of 3.7% measured between
A new McKinsey Global Institute report examines how global trade is evolving based on four factors: trade intensity, geographic distance, geopolitical distance, and import concentration. The most significant ongoing shift in trade patterns is the decline in the average geopolitical distance of trade. Between 2017 and 2024, the measure dropped by -7%, indicating countries are
In 2024, the container market surpassed growth expectations, with volumes increasing by 6.2% and demand for teu-miles rising by 21%, according to Sea-Intelligence. This surge was largely due to the Red Sea crisis, which forced carriers to reroute vessels around Africa. Overall, global container volume increased by 10.7 million TEU year-over-year. While seven trade lanes recorded
The U.S. has temporarily reinstated the de minimis exemption for eligible products from China, allowing goods under $800 to be excused from customs filing costs and duties. The de minimis exemption had gone into effect on February 4 as part of a 10% tariff increase on goods from China. The exemption will remain in place until
The 10% tariff on all Chinese imports into the U.S. took effect on February 4, covering broad categories of goods, including consumer items like electronics, clothing, and shoes. Trade groups, including the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), have warned that the tariffs will slow supply chains and raise costs for U.S. consumers. China responded
Global shipping flows are bracing for disruption from tariffs that the U.S. said it will pass on goods from Mexico, Canada, and China. Imports from Canada and Mexico will face a 25% tariff, and goods from China will see a 10% tariff. Canada and Mexico announced they would be taking retaliatory measures, while China said
The U.S. suspension of the de minimis exemption on Chinese imports could sharply reduce airfreight demand and rates. Under the de minimis policy, small-value shipments under $800 are exempted from customs filing costs and duties and de minimis shipping became a critical tool in e-commerce supply chains. It also helped drive explosive growth for air