Port congestion intensifying 
Global study by maritime data platform Beacon. The maritime data platform Beacon has analysed the latest developments in 88 ports worldwide. Whilst 2023 saw 34 of these experience only slight deterioration, with additional waiting times for ships of up to two hours, five hubs... more
Container shipping will be hit hardest – Bimco 
Bimco’s chief shipping analyst, Niels Rasmussen, has warned of major consequences following the USA’s announcement of new import tariffs. US import tariffs will rise by nearly 25%, significantly raising costs for businesses and consumers on around 80% of imports. Key US... more
Freight sector under pressure – VNL
VNL has published its second-quarter 2025 outlook on freight transport developments. The ‘Austrian Supply Chain Pressure Index’ shows a 30% increase, indicating heightened supply risks. In road freight, new customs regulations and a persistent driver shortage are raising... more
Driver shortages worsening
The IRU’s 2024 global truck driver shortage report shows 3.6 million unfilled positions in 36 countries, similar to 2023 levels. However, structural concerns are rising, particularly the widening age gap. The proportion of drivers under 25 fell by 5.8% year-on-year, while... more
Milwaukee welcomes first international vessel
Port Milwaukee welcomed the Singapore-flagged ‘Patagonman’ as the first international vessel of the 2025 season on 30 March. The ship arrived after unloading cargo in Canada (Sault Ste Marie ON), following its transit through the St Lawrence Seaway, which reopened on 22 March.... more
JAL and Kalitta to cooperate on NRT–ORD
Starting today, 4 April, Japan Airlines (JAL) began offering cargo space on Kalitta Air-operated flights between Tokyo (NRT) and Chicago (ORD). This marks the first phase of a new collaboration effort between the two partners, with a full codeshare agreement also being... more
Tata begins hydrogen trials
Tata Motors has launched India’s first hydrogen truck trials, marking a step in decarbonising heavy goods transport under the national green-hydrogen mission. The 24-month trial includes 16 hydrogen-powered trucks, using both hydrogen internal combustion (H2-ICE) and fuel... more
Class societies to create emissions data standard
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations agency in charge of regulating global shipping, has expanded its ‘IMO Compendium’ to include a new ‘Fuel oil consumption and CII reporting dataset’, with 140 harmonised data fields. Developed by the ‘Smart... more
US tariffs – Xeneta expects “seismic shock”
The global air cargo industry is facing major disruption, as the US imposes sweeping import tariffs from 9 April, including the elimination of de minimis exemptions for low-value shipments from China and Hong Kong from 2 May. These shipments will be subject to 30% duty or a... more
Two ONE services open Asian access to Argentina
TecPlata, ICTSI’s terminal near Buenos Aires, is enhancing its connectivity to Asia through Ocean Network Express’ new East Coast South America Express 2 (SX2) and River Plate Express (RPX) services. The SX2 links East Asia with South America, including a direct call at Pusan... more