Category: News

Supply Chain Leaders Wary of Unprecedented Risks

The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) has published its Q2 2025 Pulse Survey, and the findings paint a sobering picture for global supply chains. Procurement leaders are reporting their highest-ever levels of concern about disruption, with anxieties around shipping costs, ... Read more

Container Shipping Faces Prolonged Excess Capacity

The container shipping industry is set for several years of structural oversupply, which will put significant downward pressure on rates, with fleet growth consistently outpacing cargo demand until the end of the decade. Analysts point to a combination of record vessel orders and limited scrap... Read more

Air Freight Demand Surges on Tariff Pressures but Challenges Persists

Global air cargo markets have entered an unusual mid-summer upswing as US importers accelerated shipments to avoid rising tariffs. July volumes rose strongly against seasonal norms, fuelled by front-loading, modal shift from ocean to air, and persistent trade uncertainty. The sharp increase in... Read more

H1 2025: Six Developments Reshaping Global Trade

The first half of 2025 has been one of the most turbulent periods for supply chains in recent memory. From renewed tariff wars to fresh geopolitical flashpoints, logistics professionals have had to contend with a constantly shifting landscape. At the same time, structural challenges around ski... Read more

Asian Cargo Surge Threatens to Overwhelm North Europe Ports

North Europe’s container gateways face a turbulent August and September as a surge of inbound cargo from Asia collides with already stretched terminal operations. Strong import demand through the first half of the year has driven double‑digit growth in volumes, with the peak season now set... Read more

US–EU Trade Deal Signals New Trade Era

The US and EU have agreed a landmark trade framework taking effect 1 August, with a 15% baseline tariff, replacing many higher existing rates. In addition to lowering tariffs the new trade deal opens markets, and pledges huge investment flows, with significant opportunities for UK traders able... Read more

Carriers Reroute as European Ports Buckle Under Congestion

European container terminals continue to face mounting congestion, triggering service reshuffles, extended inland delays, and spiking freight rates. At several key hubs, container yard density surpassed 80%, pushing carriers to adjust port calls and rethink network strategies in the heart of the ... Read more

Transatlantic Air Cargo: Calm Surface, Hidden Currents

The transatlantic air cargo market may appear steady, with stable capacity and rates, but beneath this surface calm, subtle shifts are reshaping flows, costs, and opportunities, especially on niche routes like Canada–Europe and Mexico–Europe. While wide-body and freighter capacity from Eur... Read more

Red Sea Return Scuttled by Houthi Vessel Sinking

The deadly July 7 attack on the Eternity C cargo vessel by Yemen’s Houthi rebels marks one of the most severe escalations yet in the Red Sea shipping crisis, reinforcing the view that this vital trade artery will remain off-limits for carriers through 2025.  The Red Sea, via the Suez Canal,... Read more

UK Bid to Join Pan-Europe Trade Area Blocked

The UK government’s attempt to join the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) Convention, a framework that simplifies supply chains and reduces tariffs across Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East has been blocked by the EU. Established in 2012 and modernised in 2025, the PEM Convention ... Read more

U.S. RoRo Port Fees Set to Disrupt Automotive Logistics

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has confirmed it will introduce new fees on foreign-built roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) car carriers calling at U.S. ports from October 14, 2025, as part of a broader push to counter China’s maritime influence. The initial fee of $150 per Car Equivalent Unit (C... Read more

UK Carmakers Challenged While China’s Ro/Ro Fleet Eye Europe

Britain’s automotive industry is facing a historic low, as UK vehicle production in May 2025 fell to its weakest level since 1949. Yet while UK manufacturers scale back, Chinese Ro/Ro operators are expanding aggressively, driven by rising vehicle exports and a strategic push into Europe’s aut... Read more