Ports in Northern Europe are facing significant congestion with delays mounting at key gateways like Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, and Bremerhaven. As of mid-June, the situation remains severe, driven by a combination of labor strikes, rail service closures, carrier alliance shifts, and low inland water levels. Rotterdam has been hit particularly hard, with barge delays exceeding two
Trans-Pacific container rates climbed sharply over the past week as the industry prepares for an early peak season. Shippers are frontloading goods to get ahead of potential changes to tariffs in July and August. Industry platforms such as SONAR and Freightos report a surge in container rates from Asia to the U.S. West Coast. Ocean
Airlines have reported a renewed interest in block space agreements (BSAs) as forwarders prepare for a potential spike in airfreight rates later this year. While some in the industry remain cautious due to ongoing trade uncertainties, others are locking in rates now as a measure of security against price surges down the line. Many airfreight
Shippers are turning to dual-sourcing as a long-term strategy to build resilience into their supply chains. A recent swing in U.S. tariff policy within a 24-hour period where policies have been reversed and then reinstated, highlights the unpredictability of the global trade environment. According to Rohit Tripathi, Vice President of industry strategy, manufacturing at Relex
Evergreen Chairman Chang Yen-yi said U.S. West Coast ports, especially Los Angeles and Long Beach, could see heavier congestion in the coming weeks. He cited rising freight rates and the addition of more capacity by ocean carriers as key reasons. Speaking at the company’s annual meeting, Chang noted that the current 90-day pause in the
Operations are slowly resuming at Mexico’s busiest container port, Manzanillo, after a four-day strike by customs workers brought cargo movement to a standstill. The strike which began on May 12, caused an estimated $150 million in revenue losses and led to widespread disruption in logistics operations across the region. While some drayage trucks began moving
Port congestion across Europe continues to worsen, with Bremerhaven facing severe labor shortages and few alternatives for shippers. Forwarders report average wait times of five to six days, depending on the destination. Maersk has extended its contingency plan through the end of May, citing a sharper-than-expected drop in available labor during recent holidays such as
Amid capacity reductions on the Trans-Pacific, South America is gaining prominence as a strategic focus for global air cargo. At the IATA CNS conference in Miami, attendees were told the shift comes with big changes for the air cargo sector and that carriers and freight forwarders “need to know how it will impact the industry”.
China’s growing trade surplus with the European Union (EU) continues to raise concerns that the region is becoming a target for redirected exports. In the first four months of 2025, China’s trade surplus with the EU reached a record $90 billion, driven by a combination of tariff pressures from the U.S. and favorable currency conditions.
A ceasefire deal brokered by Oman between the U.S. and Yemen’s Houthi forces has raised cautious optimism for the shipping industry. Under the agreement, Houthi groups will stop attacking vessels in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait. However, they have stated that their campaign against Israel will continue. Security experts warn it is too
