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) [...]
On April 17, 2025, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released formal findings under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, concluding that China’s acts, policies, and practices targeting the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors are unreasonable and restrict U.S. commerce. The determination follows a year-long investigation [...]
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, [...]
On April 9, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order aimed at revitalizing the United States' maritime industry and restoring the nation's maritime dominance. This initiative introduces several strategic measures to bolster the U.S. shipbuilding sector and enhance national security. MARITIME ACTION PLAN (MAP) The order mandates the [...]
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 [...]
Week 13 finds new U.S. tariffs, strained European port operation, and transatlantic trade lane service suspensions creating additional challenges to a strained global network. NEW 25% SECONDARY TARIFF ON TRADE LINKED TO VENEZUELAN OIL EFFECTIVE APRIL 2, 2025 A new U.S. executive order will impose a 25% tariff on [...]
Cargo moving through the Port of Long Beach (USLGB) continues to surge, suggesting shifts in U.S. supply chain strategies. Data trends hint that importers started adjusting their sourcing, routing, and inventory replenishment in response to tariff pressures and changing consumer demand. This boost in cargo demand bumped USLGB's February 2025 [...]
The rollout of new carrier alliances is creating additional congestion across Europe’s major ports, impacting vessel backlogs, high yard utilization, and inland transport delays. As carriers transition to updated service networks, overlapping vessel rotations and shifting terminal assignments add pressure to strained operations in Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, and Le Havre. [...]
TRADE SHIFTS, CAPACITY PRESSURES, AND POLICY IMPACTS Week 12 finds trade policy shifts, capacity constraints, and supply network adjustments continuing to shape the global freight market. New U.S. tariffs on European automotive imports take effect April 2, 2025 while expanded Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum are now [...]
