Category: United States

US businesses prepare for ILA strike threat and Trump’s China tariffs

Retailers and shippers are bracing for operational disruptions and cost increases as the January 2025 deadline for the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) negotiations looms, alongside the threat of new tariffs on Chinese imports from President-elect Donald Trump. This combination... Read more

The potential impact of the new US administration on global trade

As the United States, and the world, braces for potential shifts in trade policy, new tariff proposals and ongoing supply chain challenges are reshaping the global logistics landscape. President-Elect Trump’s threatened trade tariffs, along with geopolitical and operational pressures, are dr... Read more

November: North American market update

The North American freight market faces a complex set of challenges as ongoing labour disputes, potential trade policy shifts, and evolving service offerings reshape the landscape. Canadian port strikes strain supply chain Labour disputes have disrupted operations at Canada’s east and west ... Read more

New alliances reshape East-West trade container shipping

Container shipping faces a transformative year in 2025, as key East-West and transatlantic shipping routes are set for substantial realignment, with the dissolution of existing alliances and the formation of new ones. Carriers are optimising their networks to enhance competitiveness and meet t... Read more

Ellerman City Liners expands fleet with sustainable new container ships

Group member, Ellerman City Liners, a historic and customer-focused shipping line, is enhancing its container vessel fleet with two newly chartered 1,400 TEU ships, designed to meet current and future environmental regulations. These new-build additions mark a significant step forward in Eller... Read more

North American Sea Freight Market Strained

The North American sea freight market faces ongoing challenges, with recent labour actions on the US East Coast fuelling local anxieties and adding congestion and capacity pressures on the West coast. The three-day strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) on the US East C... Read more

Air freight surges from Asia to Europe while trans-Pacific faces regulatory hurdles

As peak season ramps up, air cargo from Asia to Europe is experiencing strong growth, largely driven by rising demand for eCommerce, while new scrutiny on duty exemptions has led to a significant drop in air cargo volumes from Asia to the United States. In October, tonnage from Hong Kong to Eu... Read more

Strengthening Global Network to Address Supply Chain Challenges

Metro’s strategic partner network is central to delivering market-leading logistics services, especially as global supply chains face ongoing challenges. With the appointment of Peter Orange as head of global network development, Metro is deepening its commitment to building robust partnerships... Read more

Labour tensions rise on North America’s East coast

Ongoing labour disputes on the US East Coast and Canada’s Port of Montreal continue to threaten disruptions to North American supply chains. The agreement between the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) on the US East coast (USEC) brings temporary relief, securing peace for th... Read more

Sea freight market review

The sea freight market in October 2024 is facing continued challenges from geopolitical tensions and industrial actions, with strikes on the US East and Gulf Coasts contributing to significant disruptions. Although the three-day US East coast strike in early October has been resolved with a te... Read more

US East Coast dockworker strike: Temporary resolution but risks remain for January

While a tentative agreement between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) has paused the strike, a final resolution must be reached in January 2025, or further disruption could occur. The recent US East and Gulf Coast dockworker str... Read more

US East coast port strikes underway

At 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday 1st October 2024, dockworkers along the US East and Gulf Coasts began a major strike, marking the first significant work stoppage in nearly 50 years, threatening major supply chain disruption across the US and beyond. Nearly 50,000 members of the International Longs... Read more