WHITE HOUSE MEMORANDUM On January 20, 2025, President Trump published a memorandum (memo) introducing the America First Trade Policy as a strategy designed to reshape U.S. trade relationships and address long-standing trade challenges. The memo outlines a strategic review of trade agreements, tariffs, and international trade practices with a [...]
As Week 04 unfolds, the freight market is preparing for several challenges and transitions, including shifts in global carrier alliances, the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday, regional supply chain disruptions, and pending trade revisions by the new U.S. Administration. CAPACITY PRESSURES AND ALLIANCE ADJUSTMENTS The market is experiencing a [...]
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has added 37 entities to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List, to combat the use of forced labor linked to the Xinjiang region of China. This marks the largest single expansion of the list to date, bringing the total number [...]
The freight market has experienced significant shifts over recent weeks, with a noticeable improvement in space availability across major trade lanes heading into Week 3. As we approach Chinese New Year (CNY), carriers are actively seeking to secure additional volume to strengthen their rolling pools ahead of anticipated factory [...]
The project cargo industry is currently feeling optimistic due to the extensive energy, infrastructure, and industrial projects in the US. However, the uncertainty of the new presidential administration, especially for renewable energy projects, could dampen this optimism. Project cargo is the specialized transportation of large, heavy, or critical components—such [...]
WEEK 2 FREIGHT MARKET UPDATE: TENTATIVE LABOR AGREEMENT, SLOWDOWN, TARIFF RISKS, AND LUNAR NEW YEAR IMPACT U.S. PORTS As we enter the second week of 2025, the freight market is navigating a blend of factors—seasonal slowdowns, political uncertainty, and the typical start-of-year adjustments. While demand remains resilient, certain key [...]
WORK STOPPAGE AVERTED: U.S. EAST COAST AND GULF COAST PORTS REMAIN OPERATIONAL The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) announced on January 8, 2025, that they have reached a tentative agreement on all terms for a new six-year Master Contract. Both parties have agreed [...]
ILA-USMX CONTRACT DEADLINE As the January 15, 2025 labor contract deadline looms between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), concerns mount about the possibility of a strike, particularly on U.S. East and Gulf Coast trade routes. While both parties express their desire to [...]
In 2024, the freight industry faced supply chain disruptions, adapted to shifting global trade policies, and took bold steps toward environmental sustainability. Throughout the year, the supply chain was shaped by labor disputes, equipment shortages, natural disasters, and policy changes. However, the industry’s ability to pivot, adapt, and build resilience [...]
WEEK 1 FREIGHT MARKET UPDATE: A STRONG START TO 2025 EXPECTED, BUT CHALLENGES AHEAD The freight market is kicking off 2025 with strong demand and several key developments shaping how global shipping will unfold in the coming weeks. While there is a lot of momentum right now, there are [...]
