Mexico Implements Tariff Increases and Revises IMMEX Program, Impacting U.S. Apparel Imports
On December 20, 2024, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum enacted a decree introducing measures aimed at safeguarding Mexico’s textile and apparel sectors while addressing compliance issues related to the country’s IMMEX program. This shift in Mexico’s trade and manufacturing policies will lead to higher import costs for several goods and may require adjustments from importers, especially […]
Read More2025 Logistics: Labor Gaps, Tech Shifts, Trade Tensions
Logistics professionals are bracing for a year of persistent challenges in 2025, including labor shortages, strained US-China trade relations, and vulnerabilities in supply chains, according to industry expert Archival Garcia, CEO of Fluent Cargo. While Garcia foresees no single disruptor dominating the logistics and transport sectors in 2025, he identifies the skilled labor shortage as […]
Read MoreHow a Longshoremen’s Strike Could Disrupt Global Trade
Negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the US Maritime Alliance have stalled for over a month, with President-elect Donald Trump voicing clear support for the ILA’s stance. With a potential strike looming on January 15th, it’s crucial to assess the cascading impacts this event could have, not only during the strike itself but […]
Read MoreU.S. Tariffs Boost Exports from Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea
Planned U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports are expected to accelerate a shift in containerized trade toward Vietnam, Thailand, and South Korea, according to Linerlytica. Vietnam has emerged as a key player, with containerized exports to the U.S. surpassing two million TEUs in the first 10 months of 2024. This marks a doubling since 2017 and […]
Read MoreAir Cargo Soars to New Heights, but 2025 Clouds Loom Ahead
Air cargo demand continued its upward trajectory in October, marking 15 straight months of growth. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne km (CTK), increased by 9.8% year-over-year (y/y). Capacity also rose, growing 5.9% y/y, with the cargo load factor increasing 1.7 percentage points to reach […]
Read MoreRetailers Sound Alarm: January Port Strikes Could Paralyze Supply Chains
Retailers and major trade associations are calling on East Coast and Gulf Coast port operators and unions to resume negotiations to prevent potential strike action when a temporary labor contract expires in January. The contract, established in October between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) following three days of strikes, […]
Read MoreILA, USMX Disagree Over Semi-Automated Cranes
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) remain locked in a stalemate over the implementation of semi-automated rail-mounted gantry cranes (RMGs). After an October 2024 three-day strike, the two sides agreed to extend their master contract deadline to January 15, 2025, in hopes of resolving the dispute. However, recent talks […]
Read MoreAsia-Europe Shipping Rates Surge Ahead of Lunar New Year
Spot market rates from Asia to North Europe and the Mediterranean continued their upward trend into December, fueled by ocean carrier rate hikes on Dec. 1 and robust demand ahead of an early Lunar New Year starting Jan. 29. According to Drewry, rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam surged 19% week-over-week to $4,775 per FEU, while […]
Read MoreTariffs and Trade Barriers: Top Threats Reshaping Global Supply Chains
A survey conducted by Descartes Systems Group reveals that rising tariffs and trade barriers are the primary concerns for global supply chain leaders. According to the 2024 Supply Chain Intelligence Report: Escalating Challenges for Global Supply Chain Leaders, 48% of respondents cited these issues as their top challenge, followed by supply chain disruptions (45%) and […]
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