Week 23 finds the global freight market navigating sustained trans-Pacific demand, persistent port congestion, and policy shifts with trade compliance implications. SECTION 232 TARIFF EXPANSION TAKES EFFECT JUNE 4, 2025 Section 232 tariffs on most imported steel and aluminum will rise from 25% to 50% [...]
OCEAN SERVICE AND DEMAND Ocean carriers are in the process of restoring the Far East–U.S. West Coast loops that were withdrawn in April and early May. The decision follows a sharp recovery in Chinese export bookings that began immediately after the United States and China agreed to a 90-day [...]
U.S.-CHINA TRADE: TRANSPACIFIC CAPACITY TIGHTENS AS DEMAND SURGES Transpacific lanes are experiencing capacity shortages as U.S. importers move quickly to capitalize on the 90-day tariff suspension. Bookings jumped more than 50% week-over-week, with some ports reporting increases above 100%. Many carriers are now fully booked through the end of [...]
U.S.–CHINA TARIFF SUSPENSION OFFERS SHORT-TERM TARIFF RELIEF FOR U.S. IMPORTERS On May 11, 2025, the United States and China jointly announced a 90-day suspension of select tariffs imposed over the previous six weeks. A new Executive Order, effective May 14, removes 24 percentage points of additional duties on Chinese-origin [...]
Week 19 finds global trade shifts shaping cargo operations. A new U.S.–UK trade framework expands U.S. export opportunities across key sectors, Northern Europe’s ports remain active amid growing backlogs, South Asia sees routing adjustments following new India–Pakistan trade directives, and Newark’s runway work prompts schedule adjustments. NEW U.S.–UK TRADE [...]
Week 18 brings trade policy adjustments and infrastructure disruptions influencing regional cargo movement and response times. U.S. tariff revisions, Iberian Peninsula power outages, and holiday closures in Asia are shaping near-term planning. U.S. TRADE POLICY REVISES TARIFF PROCESSES FOR NORTH AMERICAN IMPORTS A new Executive Order issued April 29, [...]
Week 17 finds service shifts across the trans-Pacific continuing to accelerate as U.S. trade policy developments evolve. Ongoing regulatory proposals and shifting sourcing strategies are driving near-term changes in routing, vessel deployment, and capacity allocation. USTR PORT FEE PROPOSAL: UNCERTAINTY FOR CHINESE-BUILT VESSELS Following the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) [...]
TRANS-PACIFIC SERVICE ADJUSTMENTS GAIN MOMENTUM IN WEEK 16 Carriers on the eastbound trans-Pacific are accelerating service adjustments in response to evolving trade dynamics between China and the United States. As Week 16 begins, a sharp drop in bookings from China drives a wave of blank sailings, suspended port calls, [...]
Week 15 finds global trade in a flurry of activity as U.S. reciprocal tariffs are in effect, China is enacting countermeasures with multiple new customs regulations introducing more challenging compliance requirements for importers. RECIPROCAL TARIFFS BEGIN APRIL 5: WIDE-RANGING DUTIES NOW IN FORCE On April 5, 2025, the United [...]
Week 14 brings growing port congestion in Latin America, aggressive carrier cutbacks across the transpacific, and a new round of service suspensions—all while global freight networks adjust to shifting demand and trade policy changes. WEEK 14: NEW U.S. TARIFFS TAKE EFFECT Two new U.S. tariffs take effect this week [...]
