29 Oct 2026

ILWU Strike Threat Could Disrupt Operations at Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports

Importers and logistics providers moving cargo through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach could face additional disruptions beginning Sunday, November 1, 2026, as approximately 250 unionized security personnel represented by International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 26 threaten to strike at six container terminals. The potential work stoppage comes at a particularly […]

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24 Apr 2026

Strait of Hormuz Disruption: Why Asia–U.S. Shipping Is Slowing Down

Recent geopolitical tensions affecting the Strait of Hormuz are not directly blocking shipping routes between Asia and the United States. However, the global ripple effects are now significantly impacting Asia–U.S. shipping schedules, transit times, and costs. In simple terms:👉 Ships are still moving — but they are moving slower, arriving later, and facing congestion worldwide. […]

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06 Feb 2026

Lunar New Year Rush Goes Missing as Trans-Pacific Rates Sink

Softening spot rates, weak volume projections and cautious consumer sentiment point to a clear reality for the trans-Pacific container market: the usual pre–Lunar New Year shipping surge is absent in 2026. Market participants say demand ahead of the Lunar New Year, which begins Feb. 17, has been unusually subdued. Chinese factories will still shut down […]

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07 Dec 2025

U.S. Imports Plunge to 2.5-Year Low as Tariff Turmoil Clouds 2026 Outlook

Containerized imports into the United States are on track to hit their lowest level in two and a half years this month, with retailers warning that ongoing tariff uncertainty will keep volumes firmly in negative territory well into the second quarter of next year. According to the latest Global Port Tracker (GPT) from the National […]

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12 Nov 2025

Retailers Brace for Big Holiday Sales—but Slash Imports as Tariff Uncertainty Grows

US retailers are easing off post–winter holiday restocking even as they prepare for what is expected to be a strong holiday sales season, with import volumes projected to stay below 2 million TEUs per month through March. The latest Global Port Tracker (GPT) from Hackett Associates and the National Retail Federation, released Friday, forecasts double-digit […]

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03 May 2025

Global Shipping Shake-Up: Tariffs, Blank Sailings, and the Battle for Capacity

The suspension of China–U.S. shipments and a wave of blank sailings on the trans-Pacific trade lane may lead to a significant redistribution of vessel capacity, according to Alexandra Ilascu of Kuehne + Nagel. Speaking during the Journal of Commerce’s Asia-Europe webinar, Ilascu warned that these shifts are likely to impact other trade routes, including Asia-Europe […]

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21 Apr 2025

USTR Finalizes Section 301 Actions on China Shipbuilding

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced its final actions regarding the Section 301 investigation into China’s shipbuilding industry, introducing significant changes from the initial proposals. Key Changes and Fee Structure: Revised Fees: Instead of a flat fee, new fees will be based on vessel net tonnage (NT) or container count and will apply per […]

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15 Jan 2025

E-Commerce Shifts: From Air to Sea Freight

E-commerce shipments to the US are showing signs of a shift from air cargo to sea freight, with potential changes to de minimis rules likely to accelerate this trend. This perspective was highlighted during Freightos’ “Global Freight Outlook” webinar, which explored how actions by the incoming Trump administration might impact e-commerce airfreight. Currently, de minimis […]

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