Freight and Logistics News and Market Update

North America

Air

• Postal organizations worldwide have suspended shipments to the US after Customs and Border Protection eliminated the $800 de minimis exemption on August 29. Carriers including Japan Post, Correos, La Poste and DHL say they lack systems to collect and remit duties, leaving parcels on hold until processes are clarified. The disruption has been limited for overall air cargo volumes but has sharply impacted eCommerce flows, with exports from China to the US down more than 40% since the change took effect.
• Vietnam is rapidly emerging as a major air freight hub as electronics production shifts away from China due to recent trade tensions. Capacity on Vietnam-US routes nearly doubled in August, driven by booming exports of laptops and other high-tech goods, while Europe-bound volumes also climbed. Forwarders are adding flights to handle the surge, positioning Vietnam for a strong peak season despite ongoing tariff uncertainty on China-US trade.

Ocean

• The US has expanded steel and aluminum tariffs to cover 407 new HTS codes worth over $160 billion in goods, adding to the $190 billion already affected. The broader scope now captures furniture, construction and agricultural equipment, raising effective tariff rates on some products to over 25% and further pressuring already declining import volumes. Trucking companies, railroads and ocean carriers face higher equipment costs and weaker cargo demand, adding strain to transportation providers already navigating market downturns.
• The new 50% tariffs on Indian exports to the US are prompting carriers to scale back capacity on the India–US East Coast trade, with several blank sailings already scheduled in early September. Spot rates have softened as lines retract planned rate hikes. Exporters warn the tariffs could make more than half of India’s shipments to the US uncompetitive, especially against lower-cost rivals in China and Southeast Asia, raising the risk of deeper service cuts.
• Container shipping’s long-standing efficiency depends on the fungibility of vessels, which can typically be deployed anywhere and for any trade. But a wave of political and regulatory restrictions in 2025, including US penalties on Chinese-built ships, sanctions on Iranian-linked fleets and bans on vessel calls between India-Pakistan Turkey-Israel and others, is eroding this flexibility. Analysts warn that reduced fungibility will force carriers into suboptimal network adjustments, resulting in inefficiencies, higher costs and greater volatility for global shippers.

Ground

• Highway, a provider of truckload carrier identity software, has entered the load board sector with its new Trusted Freight Exchange, a digital marketplace limited to verified carriers and vetted brokers. The platform integrates Highway’s identity tools with Triumph’s rating and payment services, aiming to reduce fraud and theft that have plagued public load boards. The move comes as competitors like Truckstop.com and DAT also expand their offerings with carrier verification and private load board features, reflecting an industry-wide push toward secure, multi-function freight platforms.
• Northbound truck crossings from Mexico into the US rose only 0.3% in July after a second-quarter decline, reflecting weak freight demand and uncertainty over shifting tariff policies. Laredo, the largest crossing, saw year-over-year volumes fall even as smaller ports like Eagle Pass posted strong gains. Despite sluggish truck counts, the value of US-Mexico truck trade rose more than 6% in July and in the first half of 2025, with logistics firms continuing to expand cross-border operations as manufacturers boost production in Mexico.

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Latin America

Air

• According to IATA, global air cargo demand grew 5.5% in July. Latin America saw 2.4% growth in demand and 3.8% in capacity year-over-year.

Ocean

• With an investment of R$105 million, the Port of Pecém, Ceará, will have a new cold cargo terminal, primarily benefiting poultry, fruit, fish and meat companies. The terminal has a total annual storage capacity of 174,000 tons and will offer maritime cargo handling, customs clearance, storage and transportation services seven days a week.

Asia-Pacific

Air

• AAPC reported that Asia Pacific airlines saw an 8.6% YoY increase in international air cargo demand in July 2025, driven by strong export activity driven by inventory build-ups ahead of US tariff implementation. With freight capacity up 6.4%, the average load factor rose to 62%.
• Asia Pacific is becoming a key hub for eCommerce air cargo as trade flows shift due to US tariff changes and the removal of the de minimis exemption for China-US shipments in May. While these regulatory shifts led to a 17% decline in China/Hong Kong-US volumes, other Asia Pacific origins are showing strong growth in eCommerce air cargo to US and EU.
• According to IATA, Asia-Pacific airlines led global air cargo growth with an 11.1% YoY increase in July, driven by strong Asia-Europe volumes and front-loading ahead of new US tariffs. While Asia-North America demand dipped 1% due to weaker eCommerce after the US de minimis rule change, the region’s outbound momentum remained the strongest worldwide. Overall, Asia continues to anchor global air freight expansion despite trade policy uncertainty.

Ocean

• Asia-US container rates are dropping after a July import surge. A tariff truce extension and new US port fees on Chinese-built ships, combined with growing vessel overcapacity, are keeping rates under pressure across trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe lanes.
• Global container carriers are boosting efforts to secure cargo as market volume drops, freight rates fall for a tenth straight week and new vessel deliveries swell capacity. Carriers are testing different strategies, from premium service offerings to MSC’s volume-driven push, while some consider shifting to shorter intra-Asia routes dominated by strong local players like PIL and Wan Hai. India is seen as a potential growth market, though US tariff uncertainty adds to regional challenges.
• Global shipping lines are repositioning fleets ahead of US port fees to be levied against Chinese-owned and Chinese-built vessels starting October 14, 2025. Alliances like Premier and carriers such as OOCL and Maersk are rerouting transpacific services to Mexico or splitting services to avoid charges, which start at $50 per net ton and escalate over time. The fees aim to curb China’s shipbuilding dominance and boost US maritime capacity, but critics warn they could raise costs and reduce trade volumes at smaller US ports.

Europe

Air

• Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) recorded a 15% year-over-year increase in cargo volumes in the first seven months of 2025, supported by Atlas Air charters, Ethiopian Cargo and the return of Turkish Cargo. Growth momentum is set to continue with Turkish Cargo adding a new Boeing 777 service in September linking South America, Miami, Istanbul and the Netherlands, focused on perishables. Also, My Freighter is launching a twice-weekly Boeing 767-300 service from Shanghai to the Netherlands via Central Asia, focusing on eCommerce and general cargo. Airport officials say the expanded services highlight MST’s role as a flexible and reliable European cargo hub.

Ocean

• Azerbaijan has raised alarm over the rapidly falling water levels of the Caspian Sea, which have dropped nearly 1 meter in just five years and continue to decline at 20–30 cm annually. The shallowing threatens sturgeon and seal populations while disrupting economic activity, as ports like Baku and the Dubendi oil terminal face reduced cargo capacity and rising logistics costs. Driven by climate change and Russia’s dam construction on the Volga, the crisis could devastate coastal populations and any prolonged disruption to Caspian oil transport may put upward pressure on global oil prices.

Logistics

• Italy has urged the US to honor its recent trade agreement with the European Union after reports that some US customs authorities applied tariffs higher than the agreed 15% on cheese imports. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stressed Italy’s commitment to protecting its businesses and workers and Rome has raised the issue with the US Embassy, the European Commission and its own embassy in Washington, seeking guarantees for correct implementation of the deal.

India, the Middle East and Africa

Air

• Etihad Cargo has unveiled an expanded winter schedule that adds new routes to Hanoi, Hong Kong and Taipei, enhancing its presence in Asia’s fast-growing markets. Between November 2025 and March 2026, Etihad Airways will also open 16 additional passenger destinations, boosting belly-hold cargo capacity to over 1,000 weekly flights by spring. The expansion strengthens global connectivity and provides customers with greater flexibility and access to cargo solutions.
• UAE-based cargo airline, SolitAir, has launched a new scheduled service between Dubai World Central and Kuwait International Airport, strengthening its position as a logistics partner for freight forwarders, eCommerce operators and integrator airlines. With a fleet of five Boeing 737-800 freighters and plans to expand to 20 aircraft by 2027, SolitAir is scaling operations from its hub in Dubai to support regional and global trade growth.

Ocean

• The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Vadhvan Port Private Ltd. and TUTR Hyperloop to study the feasibility of using Hyperloop technology for high-speed cargo transport. Backed by Maharashtra’s chief minister, the initiative aims to slash transit times, boost port efficiency and cut emissions. If successful, it could help position India as a global leader in sustainable, technology-driven logistics while reshaping supply chains for both domestic goods and exports.
• Bangladesh and India are preparing to start a direct coastal shipping service to cut freight costs and reduce transit times, replacing current transshipment via Singapore and Colombo. A Bangladeshi delegation recently inspected key Indian ports including Paradip, Visakhapatnam and Haldia, with an Indian team set to visit Chittagong and Mongla next. With bilateral trade already exceeding $5 billion annually, officials believe the new service will strengthen maritime connectivity and lower logistics expenses, providing a significant boost to regional commerce.

Customs Brokerage

• Mexico is tightening regulations on footwear imports under the IMMEX program due to misuse, banning temporary imports of finished shoes and imposing a 25% tariff on footwear from non-FTA countries. The decree aims to protect the domestic industry, which has seen a 13% decline and will require importers to ensure proper classification, documentation and compliance once the decree is published.
• Executive Order 14329, issued on August 6, 2025, imposes a 25% additional duty on most imports from India over its continued oil trade with Russia. The tariff took effect on August 27 and applies to Indian-origin goods entering the US, excluding certain categories such as personal-use items and specific HTSUS classifications. The new measure adds to existing duties under earlier trade rules, and importers are urged to prepare for compliance with updated customs procedures.
• Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that effective September 1, Canada has eliminated tariffs on US goods covered under the USMCA while retaining a 25% tariff on US steel, aluminum and autos. He noted that Canada now has the most favorable trade terms with the US, with more than 85% of trade tariff-free. To preserve this advantage ahead of the 2026 USMCA review, Canada is lowering tariffs further and pursuing an industrial strategy to protect jobs, strengthen competitiveness and diversify exports.