Major U.S container ports are recording high import volumes as retailers continue to front-load and the National Retail Federation (NRF) expects this trend to continue. NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy, Jonathan Gold, explained that even though a second U.S. port strike was averted, retailers had already rushed to ship their imports
The airfreight industry enters 2025 with cautious optimism despite slowing growth and geopolitical concerns. While 2024 saw significant gains, including 14 straight months of double-digit demand growth, December showed signs of cooling with just 6% higher tonnage compared to the previous year, according to WorldACD. Global spot rates were 15% higher in December than the
The British International Freight Association (BIFA) predicts that 2025 will bring opportunities for the international freight forwarding and logistics sectors, driven by rising global trade, e-commerce, and technological innovation. Other areas of focus include automation, digitalization, and sustainability. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects a 3.2% rise in global trade volumes as geopolitical tensions ease,
Negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) remain unresolved, with the current master contract extension set to expire on January 15, 2025. Key U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports could face another strike without an agreement. Given the limited media coverage of these negotiations, it is advisable for
Global trade is projected to reach $33 trillion in 2024, up $1 trillion, to reflect a 3.3% increase from a year ago, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The growth has been fueled by a 7% rise in trade in services, adding $500 billion, while trade in goods rose by
Ocean and air freight rates have climbed significantly in 2024, driven by unpredictable market dynamics, according to Transport Intelligence (Ti). Ocean freight rates remain 117.6 points above January levels, with no immediate return to pre-crisis levels expected. Xeneta’s chief analyst, Peter Sand, highlighted ocean carriers as the year’s “financial winners,” noting their shift from loss-making
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) remain at an impasse over the use of semi-automated rail-mounted gantry cranes (RMGs). After a three-day strike in October 2024, both parties extended their current master contract deadline until January 15, 2025, to resolve outstanding issues. However, recent negotiations broke down when the
Air cargo demand stayed strong in October, growing for the 15th straight month, but IATA warns that 2025 might be challenging. Global air cargo demand measured in cargo tonne km (CTK) terms rose by 9.8% year-over-year (y/y) in October. Capacity measured in available CTKs increased by 5.9%, and the cargo load factor grew by 1.7
Planned U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports are expected to boost containerized imports from Vietnam, Thailand, and South Korea, according to Linerlytica. Vietnam’s containerized exports to the U.S. surpassed two million TEUs in the first 10 months of 2024, doubling 2017 levels, and is a 41% year-on-year (y/y) rise in Q2, 2024. Vietnam’s appeal comes from
Canada’s busiest ports have resumed operations after labor disputes disrupted container flows. On 14 November, the Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered an end to union worker lockouts and mandated binding arbitration in ongoing contract disputes. Earlier, port employers had locked out union workers on both coasts due to strike actions. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
