On September 4, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) enacting a newly negotiated U.S.-Japan trade deal. The agreement introduces tariffs on Japanese imports, with broad implications for both countries’ economies. U.S.-Japan Tariff Agreement Highlights Baseline Tariff on Japanese Imports The EO sets a baseline 15% tariff on nearly all Japanese imports. Products […]
Read MoreBeginning October 14, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will introduce a new fee structure on vessels linked to China, including ships that are Chinese-owned, operated, or built. The initiative, coordinated with the U.S. Trade Representative, is designed to reduce reliance on Chinese-built vessels, strengthen U.S. port security, and promote domestic shipbuilding. Under the […]
Read MoreThe imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian exports to the US is already disrupting container shipping on the India–US East Coast (USEC) route. With cargo demand weakening, carriers are cutting back sailings and rethinking their deployment strategies to balance supply with shrinking exports. Local forwarders report at least three blank sailings scheduled from West India […]
Read MoreMajor carriers including Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, and Zim are slashing costs as freight rates continue to decline across global trade lanes. Executives warn that expenses such as shipbuilding, chartering, fuel, and port labor have risen sharply since the pandemic, pushing unit costs well above 2019 levels. Zim highlighted higher fuel costs, port congestion, and increased dockworker […]
Read MoreLimited feeder vessel capacity between Asia’s secondary ports and major transshipment hubs is creating significant disruptions for both Asian exports and inbound shipments from the US and Europe, according to forwarders and carriers. Shippers in Thailand and Indonesia are waiting up to a month to secure space, leading to widespread transshipment delays, rolled cargo, and […]
Read MoreIn a significant development for transatlantic commerce, the United States and the European Union have announced a new Framework on an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade. This agreement marks a pivotal first step towards reducing trade barriers, enhancing market access, and strengthening the economic relationship between two of the world’s largest markets. For […]
Read MoreNew data from WorldACD suggests that airfreight volumes between the Asia Pacific and the US are showing signs of life, while those headed to Europe have declined. This could be an early indicator of a market rebalancing as the US finalizes new tariffs. For the week ending August 10, chargeable weight from China to the […]
Read MoreU.S. containerized imports surged to an all-time monthly high in July as shippers rushed to frontload cargo ahead of potential new tariffs, according to PIERS. Total volumes hit 2.609 million TEUs, up 17.5% from June and surpassing the previous record set in May 2022. While China remained the top origin, U.S. importers accelerated shipments from […]
Read MoreSouth Korean carrier HMM cautioned Wednesday that global container shipping faces heightened volatility as tariff grace periods expire and trade negotiations continue. “The expiry of tariff grace periods and ongoing renegotiations are expected to increase market volatility, with regional demand shifts likely to sustain supply chain congestion,” HMM said in its first-half earnings commentary. The […]
Read MorePresident Trump has issued a new Executive Order delaying China tariffs that were set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on August 12, 2025. The 90-day tariff pause extends the implementation date to November 10, 2025, allowing more time for the U.S. and China to finalize a trade agreement. According to the Executive […]
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