Tariff Refunds Still Months Away as Court Presses for Progress
A U.S. Court of International Trade order mandated Customs and Border Protection to refund tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. CBP’s filing on March 19 reveals its new Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) system is still under construction, with only 45% of the mass‑processing engine built. The importer‑facing portal is about 73% complete and the review function 80%, but large‑scale refund capability remains the main bottleneck. A phased rollout will initially omit entries subject to antidumping or countervailing duties, and CBP gave no firm timeline for full deployment.
HMM Jumps Onto Feeder Vessel Commissioning Bonanza
South Korean carrier HMM commissioned ten 2,800‑TEU feeder vessels at Hyundai Heavy Industries for $550 million, with delivery slated for late 2028. The company also secured a December 2025 order for twelve additional feeder ships from China’s Huanghai Shipbuilding, comprising five...
US Shippers Back Rail Access Shake-Up as Merger Fears Grow
The Surface Transportation Board has issued a proposal to repeal Federal Rule 49 CFR Part 1144, which currently restricts reciprocal switching for shippers seeking alternative rail service. The change is backed by major shipper groups, the American Chemistry Council, and...
Piraeus Declines 6% for Second Year, Cosco Ports Results Show
Cosco‑controlled Piraeus port reported a 6% drop in 2025 throughput, handling 3.97 million TEU, marking the second consecutive year of decline. Analysts attribute the loss to Red Sea disruptions that rerouted cargo to Spain and northern Europe rather than pure demand...
No ‘Last Hurrah’ Expected for US De Minimis as Legal Challenge Advances
The U.S. administration’s suspension of the de minimis exemption is now being challenged in the Court of International Trade after a lawsuit by auto‑parts retailer Detroit Axle alleges the move exceeds legal authority. The challenge follows a Supreme Court ruling that limited...
The Wrong Question: Why the TMS Debate Is Distracting Forwarders From What Comes Next
Freight forwarders are fixated on the "which TMS?" debate, especially around CargoWise pricing, but industry veteran Brian Glick argues the real issue is integration and what comes after traditional TMS. He positions Chain.io as a neutral integration layer that separates...
Rising Fuel Price Could See Box Shipping Face a Bill of up to $35bn
Rising fuel prices linked to the Hormuz crisis could add $30‑35 billion to global container shipping costs if sustained for a year. Sea‑Intelligence estimates an extra $153‑$178 per TEU, potentially pushing freight rates higher. While direct fuel expenses are significant, analysts...
Epstein Files Still Weigh on DP World Despite Solid Delivery
DP World released solid preliminary 2025 results, highlighting strong growth and a logistics segment that outperformed its peers. The company, however, provided limited insight into unit‑level costs and cash flow, leaving analysts seeking more transparency. Meanwhile, lingering legal issues tied...
Shuttles Ex-India on the Increase with Long-Haul Schedules Constrained
Middle East geopolitical tensions are constraining long‑haul container schedules, prompting mainline carriers to redeploy capacity into regional shuttle services from India. Hapag‑Lloyd is evaluating an ad‑hoc shuttle linking Kandla to UAE ports such as Khor Fakkan or Fujairah, building on its...
Canada Trade Pivot Has Funds for Supply Chain Development, but Lacks a Plan
Canada is reshaping its trade policy to cut reliance on the United States, aiming to double non‑U.S. exports by 2035. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s push has unlocked a new C$5 bn Trade Diversification Corridors Fund to upgrade ports, rail and air...
Röhlig Logistics Sets Course for Further Growth in Chile and Latin America
Röhlig Logistics announced a strategic expansion plan for Chile and the wider Latin American market, including the launch of a new hub in Santiago in 2026. The company aims to boost its regional revenue by 15% by 2028, backed by...
Avianca Eyes Caracas, MSC Adds a 777F, SF Brings in a 747, Board Shuffle at One Air
Avianca Cargo inaugurated a weekly A330 freighter service between Bogotá and Caracas, adding 60 tonnes of capacity and supplementing it with passenger belly space. MSC Air Cargo took delivery of its seventh Boeing 777F, named Castor, to expand its Europe‑Asia...
The Loadstar Explainers: CBP Refund Process; USTR Section 301 Investigation; Jones Act Waiver Plan
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection is near‑completion of CAPE, a new module within the ACE platform that will let importers electronically claim refunds on duties imposed under IEEPA. The USTR has launched a Section 301 investigation into alleged overcapacity in...
SE Asia May Fit the Bill as Forwarders Shy Away From US ‘Tariff Silliness’
European freight forwarders are reducing exposure to the United States amid unpredictable tariff policies and turning to South‑East Asia for new import opportunities. The region, bolstered by the broader “China+1” diversification, shows steady growth, with Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam leading...
Box Ship Hit in Gulf as Fuel and Surcharges Spike Costs
The containership Source Blessing was hit by shrapnel 35 nautical miles north of Jebel Ali, igniting a small fire but leaving the crew unharmed. The incident marks a widening of attacks beyond the Strait of Hormuz, prompting carriers to suspend...
Lufthansa Cargo Expects Limited Disruption During Two-Day Pilot Strike
Lufthansa Cargo announced that it expects to operate nearly all scheduled freighter flights despite a two‑day cockpit crew strike on March 12‑13, 2026. The Vereinigung Cockpit union called the walk‑out affecting departures from Germany, though Middle‑East routes are exempt. Only...
EXCLUSIVE: FreightWaves: Rail Merger Critics Should ‘Quit Looking Backward’ – Union Pacific CEO
Union Pacific CEO urged detractors of the pending UP‑NS merger to stop dwelling on past rail consolidations and look ahead to the benefits of a combined network. The merger, filed with the Surface Transportation Board, seeks to create America’s first...
Shippers ‘Despair’ as Carriers Hit Trade with Flurry of New Surcharges
Ocean carriers and airlines have announced a wave of new surcharges, prompting the Global Shippers Forum to warn that operating costs for exporters could more than double. An Australian exporter cited an additional $250,000 expense, which rose to $600,000 after...
US Importer Crackdown Bid Could Trigger Shift in Ecommerce Logistics
The U.S. Senate introduced the Securing Accountability in Foreign Entries Act, tightening importer‑of‑record rules by requiring a genuine physical U.S. presence and verified bank accounts. The legislation also raises the minimum continuous import bond to $100,000. By targeting non‑resident importers,...
Near-Shoring Talk Fades as Global Supply Chains Stretch, Says DHL
The DHL Global Connectedness report shows that global supply chains are stretching, with 2025 average trade distances reaching a record 5,010 km and greenfield foreign‑direct investment averaging 6,250 km. Despite geopolitical tensions and near‑shoring rhetoric, companies are still diversifying globally, routing trade...
Limited Freighter Lift Shapes Morocco-West Africa Cargo Strategy
The Morocco‑West Africa air cargo corridor relies heavily on passenger belly space, with dedicated freighter lift remaining inconsistent and often shrinking. Royal Air Maroc’s new Casablanca‑Dakar freighter marks a strategic move, yet overall capacity stays fragmented, especially on secondary routes...
Air Cargo Turns to Trucks as Middle East Disruption Sends Rates Soaring
Air cargo networks across the Gulf are crippled by flight cancellations and airspace closures, prompting forwarders to reroute freight by truck, especially through Saudi Arabia. Freight rates have surged, with southern‑Asia to North America lanes up 36% and Asia‑Europe lanes...
BlackRock’s GIP Acquires Independent Lessor TCR for Undisclosed Amount
BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) has completed the acquisition of independent container lessor TCR, though the purchase price was not disclosed. TCR, which supplies leasing solutions to major shipping lines, adds a significant asset base to GIP’s maritime portfolio. The...
Selective Gemini Integration as Hapag Plots Course for Zim
Hapag‑Lloyd is advancing a takeover of Zim, with the deal signed but still awaiting competition clearance and Israeli government consent for Zim’s golden share, aiming to close by the end of 2026. Integration will be selective, folding parts of Zim...
Zim Takeover Raises Questions for Transpac Shippers – and MSC
Hapag‑Lloyd’s pending acquisition of Zim will reshape the Asia‑US east‑coast trade, especially the five vessel‑sharing services currently run with MSC. The carrier can either keep Zim’s premium, time‑sensitive strings separate or fold them into the Gemini alliance, each option raising...
Hellmann Appoints DHL GF’s Alexandra Olvera as Chief Commercial Officer
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics announced the appointment of Alexandra Olvera as its chief commercial officer, effective March 1. Based in Osnabrück, Olvera will lead the global sales organization under the Forward2030 strategy, focusing on sales integration and expanding key segments such...
EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Ceva Baron in Talks with MSC to Lead Forwarding Charge
A former Ceva Logistics executive, often dubbed the "Ceva baron," is reportedly in advanced discussions with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) to head its freight‑forwarding division. The move comes as MSC seeks to broaden its logistics portfolio and challenge rivals such...
Amazon and City Hall Line up for Battle over Delivery Licence in New York
New York City Council is poised to adopt the Delivery Protection Act, a licensing regime that would require final‑mile delivery operators, including Amazon’s third‑party partners, to obtain city permits and directly employ warehouse workers. The legislation follows a city comptroller...
Gulf Carriers Will Absorb Half of All New Air Cargo Capacity
Air cargo capacity is set to outpace demand in 2026, with Gulf carriers slated to absorb roughly half of the new wide‑body lift. Aevean forecasts about 1.7 million tonnes of fresh capacity for the Middle East and South Asia, dwarfing the...
New System Sees Truck Queues Build at Nhava Sheva Terminal
Hauliers at Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva (JNPA) terminal report truck queues of 25‑30 hours after a new slot‑allocation system was introduced at Gateway Terminals India (GTI). The bottleneck has left vehicles cleared by customs stuck for 3‑4 days, prompting the Nhava Sheva Container Operators’ Welfare...
The Rain in Spain Falls Mainly on Your Supply Chain
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has opened a public investigation that could overhaul how vessels call at Spanish ports and how Spanish‑flagged ships operate in foreign harbors. The probe follows Spain’s November 2024 decision to deny docking privileges to...
Zhonggu Spreads Its Wings to Meet Manufacturing Shift
Zhonggu Logistics, China’s largest coastal container carrier, announced an order for six 6,000 TEU vessels, with options for two more, to support a strategic pivot toward intra‑Asia shipping as Chinese manufacturing relocates across the region. The mid‑size ships address port constraints...
Damietta Waits in the Wings as Suez Reopening Threatens Fresh Med Congestion
The episode examines the launch of Egypt’s Damietta Alliance Container Terminals (DACT) and its potential role as a relief hub for Europe’s container supply chain as Suez Canal traffic resumes. It outlines the combined 5.5 million TEU of new capacity in...
Seasonal Peaks Fail to Lift Airfreight as Rates Mirror Past Years
The episode examines why seasonal peaks, especially the pre‑Chinese New Year rush, failed to boost air‑freight rates in 2026, with global spot rates matching those of 2024 and 2025 despite differing holiday windows. Forwarders and industry experts, including Lana Radzina of...
Box Carriers Set New Surcharges Amid Winter Headwinds
The episode examines how severe winter weather across Europe is forcing major box carriers to impose new emergency surcharges, with CMA CGM adding $100 per container for shipments from North Europe to India and Maersk and Hapag‑Lloyd issuing similar cost warnings....
The Year of the Horse, but Good Luck Finding One with Wheels
The episode examines how the Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday, officially Feb 17‑23 2026, creates a six‑to‑eight‑week disruption to China’s inland trucking network, with capacity draining from mid‑January and only slowly returning by early March. It highlights the ripple effects on ocean...
High-Spending Carriers Still Have an Appetite for Larger Box Ships
The episode examines the robust demand for larger container ships, noting the orderbook has reached a 15‑year high at roughly 36% of the active fleet. Maersk Line is narrowing the gap with MSC by ordering eight 18,600 TEU LNG dual‑fuel vessels...
