Category: Newsletters

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, rising to $140 per ton by April 2028. Non-Chinese operators utilizing Chinese-built ships will incur

South Korea is investing $573 million in a new feeder terminal to strengthen Busan’s status as the leading transshipment hub in North Asia. The port will undertake two significant initiatives: the terminal development project and the implementation of a real-time data-sharing platform. In 2024, transshipment accounted for 55% of Busan’s total volume, reaching 13.5 million

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 Port of Rotterdam experienced significant congestion in handling continer flows in the first half of 2025. The arrival of more than 100 vessels with call sizes of over 12,000 TEUs underscored the urgency of the situation. Despite the challenge, the Port of Rotterdam reclaimed its status as Europe’s busiest container port, handling 7 million

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. Although, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) pointed out that it still faces tough competition from long-established