Singapore’s PIL signs LOIs for 8 LNG dual-fuel 13,000 TEU Neo-Panamax ships (Hudong-Zhonghua/HD Hyundai, 4 each), $1.5B total, delivering 2028–2029. It expands an existing 23-ship orderbook, using LNG as transition fuel to boost fleet efficiency and environmental compliance.

Chile declares a State of Catastrophe due to massive southern wildfires and severe maritime conditions, disrupting multiple ports. Lirquén Port halts operations; others face restrictions. Shippers should monitor updates, adjust logistics plans and prepare contingencies to reduce delays.

A fire broke out at Karachi International Container Terminal on January 16, triggered by lithium batteries, dry chemicals and electrical equipment in a container, spreading to 19 adjacent containers and fully destroying 20 units.

The SCFI index continued to decline for two consecutive weeks, with the weekly drop expanding to 4.45% due to the persistent oversupply in the container shipping market. Freight rates fell on most major ocean routes, with the Mediterranean route seeing the largest drop of 7.7%.

In 2025, China's total exports reached $3.77 trillion (up 5.5% YoY), outpacing GDP growth, with a trade surplus of $1.19 trillion hitting a new high. Outward processing trade and project contracting exports grew rapidly, reflecting industrial upgrading and expanding overseas engineering layout.

Trump announced a 10% tariff on goods from 8 European nations starting February 1, rising to 25% from June 1, over the Greenland purchase issue. The EU is considering retaliatory tariffs on $93 billion worth of US goods, set to take effect February 6. Shippers and forwarders should closely monitor tariff dynamics and adjust shipping plans promptly.

MSC and Hapag-Lloyd have frozen US West Coast rates at $2,100 until Feb 15, while Maersk undercuts at $1,800, marking the failure of two scheduled Jan rate hikes. Oversupply, weak demand, and aggressive pricing by ultra-large carriers have dimmed prospects for the pre-Lunar New Year mini peak season.

Singapore Port had an outstanding 2025, with 44.7 million TEU container throughput (8.6% YoY), 3.2 billion GT vessel arrival tonnage (3.5% YoY), and 56.8 million tons bunker sales (3.4% YoY). Alternative fuel sales hit 2 million tons, and ship registration jumped 27% to 137.5 million GT, ranking 4th globally.

The U.S. imposes a 540.63% combined tariff on China’s thermoformed molded fiber products (eco-tableware) starting Jan 23, 2026, with Vietnam facing 265.62% duties. This trade protectionist move threatens $350M Chinese exports, disrupts global green supply chains, and targets supply chain migration.

2026 container shipping starts with divergence: US routes surge (LA up 26%), European ports congest. Maersk cancels sailings; Red Sea resumption and new capacity pose risks. China’s exports and trade shifts support market resilience.