Archive: Sea Freight

By Paul Kelly in News Posted: 3rd, September, 2025

Golden Week Brings Carrier Capacity Strategy into Focus

Each October, China’s export volumes traditionally dip sharply around the Golden Week holiday, with container shipping lines typically blanking sailings to align supply with the reduced demand. And while this…

By Paul Kelly in News Posted: 21st, August, 2025

Transpacific Freight Balances Between Volatility and Stabilisation

Transpacific container shipping is showing signs of stabilisation after months of volatility, but the market remains unsettled by tariff pressures, shifting trade flows and persistent oversupply. Spot rates on Asia–US…

By Paul Kelly in News Posted: 21st, August, 2025

Container Shipping Faces A Decade of Oversupply

Global container shipping lines are bracing for a decade of structural oversupply, with new vessel deliveries far outpacing demand growth and additional capacity being released when traffic eventually returns to…

By Paul Kelly in News Posted: 23rd, July, 2025

Trans-Pacific Shipping Slows as Tariff Deadlines Reshape Summer Demand

Ocean carriers are pulling back sharply on trans-Pacific services as US tariff deadlines loom, leaving the market facing a quieter-than-expected second half of the year.  With most pre-tariff shipments from…

By Paul Kelly in News Posted: 3rd, July, 2025

Asia-Europe Shipping Improves as Trans-Pacific Trade Slows

The outlook for container shipping between Asia and Europe has been looking more positive, with demand increasing and rates rising by almost 50% since the end of May.  In contrast,…

By Paul Kelly in News Posted: 4th, June, 2025

SHIPS for America Act Adds Complexity to USTR’s China Tariff Plans

The re-introduction of the SHIPS for America Act is the latest in a growing list of regulatory developments adding complexity and cost to the business of importing goods into the…

By Paul Kelly in News Posted: 22nd, May, 2025

Transpacific Sea Freight Pressured by Tariff Surge

A wave of front-loaded cargo from China to the US is overwhelming key Asian ports and sending transpacific container rates soaring. Triggered by a temporary 90-day tariff reduction, the rush…

By Paul Kelly in News Posted: 20th, May, 2025

Spot Rate Pressure Mounts as Asia-Europe Carriers Struggle to Balance Supply and Demand

Container shipping lines operating between Asia and Europe are grappling with a growing gap between capacity and demand, prompting aggressive attempts to reverse the continued erosion of spot market rates.…

By Paul Kelly in News Posted: 21st, March, 2025

Alliance vessel realignments and strikes disrupt European ports

European ports are struggling widespread delays and operational bottlenecks, as new vessel deployments, industrial action, adverse weather, and overflowing container yards create a perfect congestion storm. Ports across Northern Europe…

By Paul Kelly in News Posted: 21st, February, 2025

Uncertainty over Suez Canal return as insurance costs soar

Container shipping lines remain cautious about returning to the Red Sea routing, with ongoing geopolitical instability and rising insurance costs prolonging diversions around southern Africa. Despite the ceasefire in Gaza,…

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