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 [...]
Air cargo volumes from Asia are on the rise, driven by strong demand and shifting trade patterns. However, as the market continues to grow, securing space on major trade routes is becoming increasingly difficult due to ongoing capacity constraints. SHIFT IN AIR CARGO CONTRACTS Over the past year, capacity issues [...]
REVISED PANAMA CANAL TRANSIT RESERVATION SYSTEM AND TARIFFS Starting January 1, 2025, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) will implement significant changes to its Transit Reservation System. These adjustments, which include revised tariffs, aim to streamline operations and better address the growing demands of global trade. "These changes will provide [...]
As the U.S. freight market enters Week 51 of 2024, new Panama Canal tariffs and the potential International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) strike loom large. These challenges, combined with tightening capacity, are beginning to impact shipping operations, particularly along the U.S. East Coast and West Coast. PANAMA CANAL TRANSIT SURCHARGE [...]
CHANGES TO ANTIDUMPING AND COUNTERVAILING DUTY PROCEDURES The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) has finalized a rule that revises several aspects of its antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) procedures, with a focus on non-market economy (NME) policy. This update primarily impacts AD cases. It allows third-country entities, owned [...]
Container shipping demand stays strong in Week 50 as we head into late December and January, especially on the PSW and PNW routes. There are three main reasons behind this: volumes are shifting away from USEC routes, seasonal surges ahead of Chinese New Year, and front-loading activity due to [...]
