Freight and Logistics News and Market Update

Air

• eCommerce volume has continued to grow despite new regulations and global trade disruptions. By August, total volume had already surpassed all of 2024. Declines on China-US lanes were offset by growth into Latin America, Europe and the Middle East, largely driven by platforms like Shein. US-bound eCommerce, after earlier declines, is also recovering as the holiday season begins.
• Global air cargo posted its 26th straight month of growth in October, with demand supported by key sectors like cloud computing, eCommerce and aerospace. Despite tariff uncertainty, geopolitical tension and changes to US de minimis rules, overall momentum remains strong. Airlines have shifted focus to newer trade lanes, especially in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Thailand and India. Optimism for 2026 remains high as demand stabilizes and operational disruptions ease.

Ocean

• The US and China agreed to suspend reciprocal port fees and planned tariffs for one year, a decision broadly welcomed by shipping, manufacturing and agricultural groups seeking to ease trade costs and disruptions. The pause, which includes Chinese-built port cranes and handling equipment, aims to open space for further negotiations and support US shipbuilding initiatives. Labor unions criticized the move, warning it could give China an unfair advantage and undercut recent efforts to rebuild domestic maritime industries.
• US retailers are pulling back on container imports, with volumes projected to stay below 2 million TEUs per month through March 2026, even as retail sales remain strong. After early frontloading to avoid tariff hikes, imports are forecast to fall 14% in November and nearly 20% in December. Ongoing tariff uncertainty and softening consumer sentiment are driving cautious restocking, with retailers keeping inventories lean heading into the new year.
• Maersk reports its Gemini network with Hapag-Lloyd has pushed schedule reliability to 90% and helped cut unit costs. The company is now preparing to charge a premium for that performance, citing benefits such as reduced buffer stock and fewer delays. Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc said the Gemini network is giving the company a growing edge over rivals in a soft freight market.

Air

• LATAM Cargo has launched a new freighter route connecting São Paulo and Brussels, its first direct cargo link between Brazil and Europe. The service will initially operate three times per week and expand to five by year-end. The addition raises LATAM’s total transatlantic cargo flights to 15 per week, a 25% increase, reflecting sustained demand between the two regions.
• Air cargo traffic from Latin America continues to grow despite ongoing global trade tensions. Export volume rose 2% last month, driven by a 37% increase to the Asia-Pacific region. While traffic to North America dipped slightly in recent weeks, volumes remain stable amid continued tariff shifts and uncertain US trade policy.

Ocean

• Brazilian ports recorded their highest-ever September cargo volume, rising 4.84% year over year. From January through September, total throughput reached 1.04 billion tons, up 3.25% from 2024 and also a record. Iron ore, crude oil and corn led the month in tonnage growth.

Air

• Dimerco’s November 2025 Asia-Pacific Freight Report cites tightening capacity and rising rate pressure as peak season demand overlaps with tariff uncertainty. Air and ocean freight are under strain across Northeast and Southeast Asia, India and Mexico. China has seen sharp rate increases to the US West Coast, while congestion is intensifying in South China, Hong Kong and Australia. The outlook depends on tariff developments and carrier discipline, with restocking expected to resume in early 2026.
• Xeneta reported a 4% year-over-year increase in global air cargo volumes for October, exceeding expectations despite tariff disruptions and the US de minimis ban. Asia–Europe routes remained stable, supported by a 62% jump in Chinese eCommerce exports to Europe, while demand on Transatlantic and Transpacific lanes declined. Analysts expect rate pressure to persist into 2026 as overcapacity intensifies and forwarders compete for market share.

Ocean

• A recent $800 per FEU general rate increase on Asia–US West Coast routes lost traction quickly as weak demand undercut carrier momentum. Rates briefly climbed after the US–China tariff pause drove short-term shipments, but dropped again with most holiday cargo already delivered. October bookings from China to the US fell 16%, and East Coast rate hikes collapsed entirely, signaling continued softness in eastbound trans-Pacific demand.
• Ocean Network Express (ONE) cut its full-year profit forecast to $310 million from $700 million, projecting a $61 million loss in the second half of its 2025 fiscal year due to continued vessel deliveries and weak demand. The carrier cited oversupply and global economic uncertainty as drivers of falling spot rates across key East-West trades. While profits surged in the summer on US tariff frontloading, market conditions have since deteriorated.
• CMA CGM has sent two Ocean Alliance megaships through the Suez Canal on their return to Asia, the first alliance vessels to transit the Red Sea since regional conflict began two years ago. The carrier is monitoring conditions as a test, while most of its fleet remains rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope. A recent ceasefire in Gaza has not eased tensions enough to warrant a full-scale return, and CMA CGM says any broader restoration will depend on sustained security and crew safety.

Air

• The Benelux region (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) is emerging as a key hub for European air freight logistics. In Q3 2025, European carriers posted 11.2% volume growth while capacity rose 7.8%. Belgium’s Liège Airport handled 334,956 tons of cargo during the quarter, a 23% year-over-year increase. With 24/7 freighter operations and a central location, the region is strengthening its role in handling eCommerce, perishables and express freight.
• Air freight spot rates rose for the third consecutive week, driven by strong demand from Europe and reduced capacity on key trade lanes. The Baltic Air Freight Index increased 2.4% in the week ending November 3, while rates out of Frankfurt jumped 10.7% week-over-week, turning slightly positive year-over-year as European air cargo exports gained momentum.

Ocean

• The Drewry World Container Index rose 4% in Week 44 to $1,822 per forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU), marking a third consecutive weekly gain. Rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam climbed 3%, and to Genoa, 5%, as Asia–Europe lanes continued to firm. Carriers are implementing freight-all-kinds (FAK) increases ahead of contract negotiations, signaling firmer short-term momentum for ocean pricing.
• The Baltic Exchange Container Report for Week 44 notes increased backhaul volumes from Asia to North Europe, signaling stronger demand through major European container ports. While rates remain below 2024 levels, the growth in volume offers encouraging signs for improved schedule reliability and port routing flexibility into Europe.
• CMA CGM is nearing a deal to acquire a majority stake in Eurogate’s Container Terminal Hamburg, restarting talks that had paused late last year. The carrier already manages about one-third of vessel traffic at the terminal, and a stake would deepen its position in Europe’s third-largest port. The move comes as CMA CGM expands its terminal portfolio with recent deals in Jeddah, Morocco and Slovenia.
• Rotterdam’s container throughput rose 3% to 10.7 million TEUs in the first nine months of 2025, driven by solid Asia–Europe imports and expanding trans-Atlantic trade. Imports from Asia increased 8.8% in Q3 despite congestion, strikes and geopolitical tensions across Europe’s northern ports. Trans-Atlantic volumes climbed 14.6%, with new carrier alliances introducing more services from Rotterdam to North America.

Air

• Etihad Cargo is expanding its Winter 2025 freighter network with new routes and increased frequencies, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as a logistics hub connecting Asia, the Middle East and Europe. On 27 October, the carrier launched a twice-weekly freighter service from Abu Dhabi to East Midlands Airport in the UK, strengthening access to the region’s main distribution network. The schedule adds capacity to Shanghai, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Ezhou, and boosts frequencies to Riyadh, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt. Participation in Air Cargo Southeast Asia 2025 supports Etihad’s push to offer more flexible global shipping options.
• Emirates will launch its fifth daily service between Dubai and Cairo starting December 1, 2025, operated by a Boeing 777. Flights will initially run daily except Thursdays as EK929 and EK930, with full daily operations and updated timings beginning February 1, 2026. The added frequency will increase both passenger and cargo capacity on the route, providing roughly 300 tons of weekly cargo in each direction. Emirates SkyCargo will use the expanded bellyhold space to support Egyptian exports of strawberries, fruits and vegetables to global markets via Dubai.

Ocean

• Gulftainer has launched the India–Gulf Express (GIX), a weekly maritime service connecting the Indian ports of Nhava Sheva and Mundra with key Gulf hubs including Sharjah, Jebel Ali, Sohar and Hamad. The service offers faster lead times and reduced port stays, aiming to streamline trade between West India and Gulf countries such as the UAE, Oman and Qatar. Supported by Gulftainer’s terminals, bonded logistics hubs and trucking fleet, GIX provides end-to-end logistics with consistent sailings and improved cargo visibility.
• Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) will reflag 12 container ships under India’s registry, signaling deeper investment in the country’s maritime and logistics sector. CEO Soren Toft said the move reinforces MSC’s long-term partnership with India, where it already partners on terminal projects at Mundra and Ennore. The decision supports New Delhi’s push to strengthen domestic shipbuilding and shift carriers away from traditional foreign flags of convenience.

• On November 4, the US issued executive orders to implement parts of a recent trade agreement with China. One order reduces the tariff on Chinese imports related to fentanyl and its chemical precursors from 20% to 10%, effective November 10, 2025. Another order keeps the 10% tariff on Chinese goods tied to the US trade deficit in place for another year, avoiding a planned increase to 34%. Both changes are conditional and may be reversed if China fails to meet its commitments. Additionally, all Chinese imports remain subject to standard duty rates and existing Section 301 tariffs, which range from 7.5% to 100%.
• Effective November 7, the US State Department lifted its defense trade embargo on Cambodia by amending the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). This decision was based on Cambodia’s renewed commitment to peace and security, including increased cooperation with the US on defense and efforts to combat transnational crime. As a result, requests to export defense articles and services to Cambodia will now be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, exemptions previously unavailable under ITAR §126.1 are now accessible for Cambodia, provided all relevant criteria are met.
• Also effective November 7, the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) imposed import restrictions on avian commodities from parts of Canada and Japan following outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The restrictions apply to poultry, hatching eggs, unprocessed avian products and certain fresh poultry items from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Japan’s Niigata Prefecture. For Japan, the ban also covers products transiting through the affected region. Processed avian goods must meet APHIS treatment standards and include proper documentation. Fresh egg products may enter only if sent directly to approved pasteurization facilities.