On Oct 7, the EU proposed cutting steel import quotas by 47% to 18.3Mt/year and levying 50% tariffs on over-quota imports, plus origin tracing. Aimed at aiding local industry and U.S. talks, it awaits approval for 2026 implementation.
From October, MSC’s new South America-Middle East route (calling China’s Qingdao/Ningbo/Shanghai/Shekou) optimizes refrigerated cargo. It takes 33 days to Abu Dhabi, enhancing supply chain speed for traders.
On Sept 29 (local time), Trump announced a new US tariff on imported softwood/wood products: 10% on logs/lumber, 25% on cabinets. Effective Oct 14, some rates rise further Jan 1—following a March Commerce Dept investigation.
In H1 2025, China’s steel exports hit 50.9M tons (+25.1% YoY), 32.7% of global total. Supramaxes handle 63.2% of shipments. This growth, plus Asian trade links, reshapes global dry bulk shipping.
COSCO Shipping launched COSCO Shipping Lines (Central Asia) in Almaty on Sept 27. Jointly founded to build a green logistics corridor, it will boost Eurasian end-to-end logistics and upgrade China-Europe Railway Express.
The 2024 CPPI (by World Bank & S&P Global) shows 7 Chinese ports in top 10 global efficient ports. East Asia leads; developing nations’ ports also gain via tech & collaboration.
After Poland blocked China-Europe Railway Express (stranding 300+ trains), China launched the 18-day China-Europe Arctic Express (Ningbo-Zhoushan to Felixstowe) on Sept 23. It cuts time, boosts safety, and advances the "Polar Silk Road".
MSC launches a South America-Middle East direct route in Oct, focusing on refrigerated cargo. Abu Dhabi is the hub; transit to Abu Dhabi takes ≤33 days. Inaugural sail from Itajai via "MSC SHREYA B." (QJ539R).
U.S. imports from 10 Asian economies hit 1.86M TEU in Aug 2025 (+4.1% YoY, -2.9% MoM). Vietnam (+40.4%) and India (+33%) surged, China fell 5.5%. LA/LB ports boomed but growth may slow.
This article explains sea freight "dead freight"—a cancellation fee for FCL bookings. It traces its origin to the pandemic, clarifies charging timelines, and offers tips to avoid it by tracking order progress.
A freight rate war may have erupted on Asia-Europe routes, with spot rates (e.g., Shanghai-Rotterdam down 11% to $1,910/FEU) falling despite capacity cuts. Trans-Pacific rally stalls, with SCFI showing sharp declines.
Sea-Intelligence reports global empty container transport hits 41% (vs 3.1/10 pre-2019). Ports like LA/Long Beach and Chittagong face backlogs; distribution imbalance worsens.
Italy will hold strikes on Sept 19 (CGIL) and 22 (Cub/Adl/Sgb) 2025. Ports, rail (suspended 21-22 Sept), and logistics face delays. Kuehne+Nagel has issued warnings.
