Category: Newsletters

Global container demand is expected to shrink primarily due to market uncertainty and trade tensions. Analyst Linerlytica has downgraded its global container demand growth projections to -1.1% for 2025. The Asian market is already facing challenges following the announcement of import tariff measures by the U.S. Linerlytica has reported “significant” ocean cargo booking cancellations in

The Ocean Alliance is canceling several Asia–North Europe sailings in April and May to help recover schedules affected by congestion and delays at European ports. In contrast, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, as part of the Gemini Cooperation, are taking a different approach by adding more vessels on the same trade route to help alleviate port delays

A 10% universal tariff and country-specific duties on U.S. imports will take effect on April 5 and April 9, respectively. Consequently, this is pressuring shippers to re-evaluate their supply chain strategies with some rushing to import goods to avoid fees, while others are holding back products in Asia. One forwarder observed that shippers are adopting

Most of the world’s top 30 ports saw strong cargo growth in 2024, rising by 7% overall, according to Alphaliner. The most significant volume growth came from Los Angeles/Long Beach at 19.8%, Tanger Med at 18.8%, and Tanjung Pelepas at 16.9%. Alphaliner attributes the significant increase in Los Angeles/Long Beach volumes to concerns about U.S. tariffs

Over the past 25 years, the capacity operated by carriers in the container shipping industry has grown immensely. In 2000, the 50 largest carriers moved a combined 2.5m TEU and only 24 of the original companies remain. These carriers now operate 26.7m TEU, increasing their collective capacity by 983%. This equates to an average annual

The EU’s advanced cargo information system, Import Control System 2 (ICS2), aims to improve security in the international transportation of goods and the supply chain. However, the system is posing  “significant challenges” for freight forwarders as the EU bloc enforces stricter customs regulations, according to Nicolette van der Jagt, director general of  CLECAT, the European

The Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA), representing 40 global freight buyers, is calling on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to approve “a clear, comprehensive, globally consistent set of measures” at its upcoming meeting. These measures aim to accelerate the transition to clean energy in the shipping industry. The 83rd Marine Environment Protection Committee (MPEC)

The U.S. government is imposing a 25% tariff on all foreign-built cars, light-duty trucks and certain auto parts. This is a significant increase from the current rate of 2.5%. The tariff will take effect starting April 3, 2025, for vehicles, while auto parts will be taxed by May 3. The new policy applies to finished

In February 2025, global schedule reliability rose to 54.9%, up 3.6 percentage points month-over-month and 1.8 points year-over-year. Maersk led the top 13 carriers with a reliability rate of 60.2%, followed by MSC at 57.4%, and Hapag-Lloyd at 57.3%. Two new carrier alliances, Gemini Cooperation and Premier Alliance, were launched in February, while the 2M

According to TMC Marine, a subsidiary of Bureau Veritas and international marine consultancy, avoiding the Red Sea has led to a significant rise in container losses. TMC’s Group CEO, Simon Burthem, reported that three major incidents off South Africa between July and August 2024 resulted in 200 containers being lost overboard. Extreme weather has been