After months of relative calm in the Red Sea, two deadly Houthi attacks this week — the first since December — have shattered any optimism among global ocean carriers that normal shipping routes through the Suez Canal might soon resume. For the past 18 months, ongoing Houthi threats have forced vessels to reroute around southern […]
Read MoreOcean carriers are maintaining strong trans-Atlantic capacity in anticipation of the July 9 expiration of President Donald Trump’s 90-day suspension of “reciprocal” tariffs. Despite softening freight rates and tepid demand, carriers appear to be preparing for a potential surge in shipments once trade policy becomes clearer. The 90-day pause—set to expire next week—was put in […]
Read MoreA broad coalition of shipper and logistics industry associations is pressing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for urgent clarification on whether transshipped goods are subject to new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on April 5. The concern centers around cargo that departed its country of origin […]
Read MoreRising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have triggered renewed warnings for the global shipping industry. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which provides security advisories for commercial vessels, has urged heightened caution for ships navigating the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz. The advisory comes ahead of U.S.-Iran nuclear […]
Read MoreCargo theft is reaching record levels across the U.S., with organized criminal networks targeting trucks, warehouses, and even train cars. According to a six-month CNBC investigation, criminals are exploiting digital tools meant to streamline logistics, instead using them to hijack entire truckloads of goods. In 2024 alone, Verisk CargoNet reported 3,798 theft incidents — up […]
Read MoreAs of May 2, the United States has officially ended the de minimis exemption for packages arriving from China and Hong Kong. This change eliminates duty-free entry for shipments valued under $800, subjecting them instead to significantly higher tariffs and stricter customs procedures. Under the new policy, affected packages will either face a 120% tariff […]
Read MoreThe 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 […]
Read MoreSeveral major Chinese airlines are reportedly considering the cancellation of their services to the United States, though no final decisions have been made, according to logistics provider Dimerco. “If these cancellations proceed, the already tight air cargo capacity from China to the US will shrink even further,” the company warned. Kathy Liu, vice president of […]
Read MoreOngoing uncertainty around the Trump administration’s shifting tariff policies is disrupting the usual schedule for signing annual service contracts between ocean carriers and importers on the eastbound trans-Pacific trade lane. According to sources cited by the Journal of Commerce, negotiations that typically conclude by late April for contracts starting May 1 have been delayed by […]
Read MoreA recent report from consultancy firm Trade Partnership Worldwide has raised concerns over the potential impact of heightened tariffs and port fees on the US apparel trade. If current tariff hikes become permanent and additional fees on Chinese vessels are enforced, the US could see a noticeable decline in clothing imports, the study warns. While […]
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