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 [...]
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has proposed a series of new service fees and operational restrictions targeting Chinese maritime transport operators and carriers utilizing Chinese-built vessels. If enacted, these measures would impact vessel operators calling at U.S. ports, introducing financial penalties based on vessel ownership, fleet composition, and [...]
GLOBAL TRADE SHIFTS AND FREIGHT DISRUPTIONS IMPACT SUPPLY NETWORKS New U.S. trade measures are now in effect, with higher tariffs on China, Hong Kong, Canada, and Mexico in place since March 4, 2025, and expanded Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum taking effect March 12, 2025. The latest policy [...]
AVIATION SECURITY WORKERS STRIKE AT 13 GERMAN AIRPORTS A nationwide labor strike organized by Germany’s Verdi union has brought operations to a near standstill at 13 major airports, including Frankfurt, Munich, and Hamburg. The 24-hour walkout, which began on Monday, March 10, 2025, has led to the cancellation of more [...]
TRADE SHIFTS CONTINUE AS TARIFFS, SECTION 232 INVESTIGATIONS, AND PORT LABOR ISSUES UNFOLD Tariffs, trade investigations, and labor disputes are adding pressure to global freight markets this week. On March 12, 2025, expanded Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum derivatives take effect, while new investigations into timber, lumber, [...]
