China

China’s manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) fell to 50.0% in May, at the threshold between expansion and contraction.

Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas is calling for an investigation into Chinese-controlled parcel delivery companies in the U.S., saying they receive heavy subsidies that allow them to underprice domestic carriers and could be sharing critical U.S. market data with the Chinese government.

The biggest port in northern China is using an autonomous vacuum berthing system that secures a container ship in 30 seconds.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has given China Central Airlines the okay to begin cargo flights to the United States under a temporary license.

YunExpress is the first Chinese company to lease a cargo terminal at East Midlands Airport in the United Kingdom. It will self-handle cargo on its dedicated freighter service from China.

Rising Chinese investment in Mexico is colliding with U.S. efforts to tighten trade rules.

This week in Borderlands Mexico: China automakers gain ground in Mexico as U.S. exports soften; OmniTRAX restarts Central Texas rail line with quarry deal; and China’s Windrose delivers first Class 8 EV in U.S.

A bullish Evergreen Marine has finalized an order for 11 ultra-large container ships worth $3 billion with two Asia builders.

CMA CGM and the Ocean Alliance have added a direct container service from China and Asia markets to the Port of Jacksonville.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused China of ‘bullying’ by detaining dozens of Panama-flagged ships at its ports. 

The Federal Maritime Commission said it is closely monitoring retaliation by China against Panama-flagged ships that could compromise the U.S. supply chain.

For the first time, legislation introduced in the 119th Congress would require every motor carrier, subcontractor, and owner-operator hauling Department of Defense freight to certify they have no ties to Chinese military companies, and back that certification up with their signature.

Senator Mark Kelly campaigned for his maritime legislation before a welcoming audience of port executives, who cheered his initiative to reestablish American shipping dominance.

U.S. ocean line Matson said its terminal joint venture shored up fourth quarter results as container volumes fell on weaker China traffic.

Panama on Monday reportedly took over operations of container terminals at the Panama Canal, ending decades-long control by China. 

Xeneta: Iran tensions could delay Red Sea return  While ocean carriers wrangle with too many ships and too little cargo, continuing weak rates on the Asia-U.S. trade route are starting to show up on other benchmark shipping lanes.  “Average spot rates are down this week across all main fronthaul trades out of the Far East,” […]

Container rates continued to fall on Asia-U.S. trade lanes as shippers wait out the Lunar New Year holiday.

Unsettled trade policy and cautious importers were reflected in falling January container volumes at the Port of Los Angeles.

A closely-watched container price index fell for the fifth consecutive week as lower freight on benchmark ocean routes pressured global rates.

Despite a decline in China trade traffic, the Port of New York-New Jersey saw loaded containers increase in 2025.

DHL Global Forwarding is taking a creative approach with a truck-air service that aims to give shippers a reliable, cost-effective alternative to ocean and air transport.

Ocean container rates out of Asia fell by double-digits in the latest week following Chinese New Year.

Ocean container shipping holds its collective breath as Trump threatens new EU tariffs over Greenland purchase.

Congress is scrambling to block Chinese purchases of farmland near bases. But nobody is systematically vetting who climbs into the cab to haul freight to and from military installations. Given everything we now know, shouldn’t we at least ask the question?

Container rates on the eastbound trans-Pacific are climbing, but several factors are likely to weigh on a rebound.

The Trump administration delayed planned tariff hikes on furniture, while sharply reducing proposed 90% duties on Italian pasta.

Rising trans-Pacific ocean freight rates are expected to climb further as demand picks up in anticipation of the Lunar New Year holiday.

This week in Borderlands Mexico: Podcast series focuses on high-stakes US–Mexico trade conversations; Mexico begins tariffs of up to 35% on Chinese imports; and Chihuahua becomes Mexico’s top exporting state in 2025.

There has been no confirmation regarding online images that appear to show a Chinese cargo ship equipped with missile launchers, radar and other military hardware.

China is pushing for state-owned ship operator Cosco to acquire a controlling stake in a $22.8 billion deal for global ports that include two Panama Canal hubs.

Capacity reductions and additional blanked sailings by carriers struggle to maintain recent General Rate Increases on the trans-Pacific.

Mexico approved tariffs of up to 50% on Chinese and Asian imports, a move analysts say is aimed at placating the Trump administration.

Mexico dominated U.S. trade in August as cross-border freight and goods surged to $74.4 billion.

Steady October volume has put the Port of Los Angeles within reach of 10 million TEUs for a record third consecutive year.

Now-paused port fees on Chinese ships were a misguided attempt to revitalize U.S. maritime fortunes at the expense of American exporters, a trade group leader says.

The Port of Oakland saw loaded containers improve 2.2% October from September as global shipping rebalanced.

The world’s third-largest container carrier said Q3 profits fall 72.6% on geopolitics and heightened trade tensions.

The U.S. Trade Representative officially suspended fees on cargo ships built in China, which whipsawed global shipping struggling to cope with the effects of tariffs and a realigning of trade.

Container ports will see a more pronounced import slowdown to start 2026, the National Retail Federation predicts.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is asking for public comment on the proposal to suspend port fees on Chinese ships.

A slate of China agreements clears some of the uncertainty around ocean shipping, but questions still surround demand in the U.S. and other markets.

Matson saw its shares gain as a positive outlook for China-related shipping outweighed weaker financial results in the third quarter.

Ocean Network Express said earnings fell in the recent quarter on weaker revenue per container, and revised its forecast lower for 2025.

The United States and China have suspended their respective port fees on each other’s ships amid progress on a new trade agreement. 

Trans-Pacific container rates improved 15% to 20% last week as U.S. negotiators made progress on Asia trade deals.

The U.S. maritime industry faces challenges and opportunities in global trade and shipbuilding, the former chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission tells F3: The Future of Freight Festival.

Asia-U.S. container rates rallied on carrier-imposed GRIs and tighter capacity, despite trade tensions.

Container rates on key trans-Pacific routes accelerated their decline as China and the U.S. escalated their trade war.

The Port of Los Angeles, despite lower September imports, posted an all-time record quarter for container volume.

China won’t collect port fees on Chinese-built U.S. cargo vessels.

China announced sanctions on the U.S. units of a South Korean company aiding U.S. shipbuilding.

The DHL Global Connectedness Tracker shows that global trade and investment remain resilient despite rising tariffs and geopolitical tensions.

Global container traffic posted strong results in August, with North America a notable exception, according to newly-released data. 

The United States Trade Representative has added new tariffs of 100% on Chinese-made ship-to-shore container cranes and 150% on cranes used to move containers around terminals. 

China will levy port fees on U.S.-flagged and -owned ships, the latest escalation in the trade war with the United States.

September import data shows resilient demand despite tariff effects that caused steep declines in a number of key goods categories. 

Container rates on the trans-Pacific reached two-year lows as weak demand is expected to continue through the end of the year.

China sets new port fees, could bar U.S. ships in retaliation for charges on Chinese shipping set to take effect in October.

Containerized imports are set to dive in 2025, an analyst predicts, as President Trump’s tariffs take a toll on China-U.S. trade. 

Maersk won’t levy a surcharge when U.S. fees on China-linked ships take effect in October. 

August was a strong month for the Port of Los Angeles, but that could be the end of the good news in 2025 for the busiest U.S import gateway. 

Ocean rates climb as a deal for social media’s TikTok heralded an upbeat outlook for China-U.S. trade relations.

p44 dips its toes in strategic planning, financial forecasting, and shipment execution.

The former top U.S. maritime official backs U.S. initiatives to revitalize shipping and shipbuilding, but warns that careful planning is needed.  

Container shipping profits plunged 56% in Q2 on tariffs and shifting trade policies; the forecast remains cautious.

Mexico is proposing a 50% tariff on Chinese imports while banning shoe and small-package shipments to align with U.S. trade pressures.

After tariff worries chased up import volumes in July, ocean freight rates have steadily fallen on frontloading, capacity issues. 

Container rates on the closely-watched eastbound trans-Pacific fall to their lowest levels since before the Red Sea crisis erupted in 2023. 

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. saw earnings sag as President Trump’s trade war on China hit trans-Pacific container volumes.

Container rates on the eastbound trans-Pacific braked their slide after tariffs fueled record volumes. 

July was a record month for the Port of Los Angeles, as monthly container volumes for the first time topped 1 million TEUs.

Two Chinese military ships collided in the South China Sea while harassing a Philippines coast guard vessel.

Imports of containerized cargo through U.S. ports finished just shy of a monthly record in July, headlined by a recovery of China shipments through the busiest American gateways.

The decline of ocean container rates on the critical Asia-U.S. route is unstoppable amid President Trump’s economic war on China and reset of global trade policy, says analyst Xeneta.

The recent storm of trade news failed to move the needle for trans-Pacific container rates.

Matson said earnings were weaker as trade and tariff volatility hit  volumes on China routes. 

Liner operator CMA CGM said it is interested in buying CK Huchison’s global marine terminals.

CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest ocean container carrier, said profits fell in the second quarter as trade disputes hit U.S. imports from China.

President Donald Trump said that he will not extend Friday’s deadline for his “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of U.S. trading partners.

Freight rates on U.S. ocean trade routes hold steady as shippers and carriers wait out trade talks, tariff deadlines.

Despite U.S. tariff impacts, Drewry’s Global Container Port Throughput Index rose modestly in May, but better year-on-year, indicating global trade flows are adjusting.

Shippers are stepping back from the trans-Pacific trade amid trade uncertainty and tariff fatigue.

Small- and medium-sized businesses are feeling the tremors of unpredictable U.S. trade policy and dozens of recent tariff changes.

Ocean container rates on the Asia-U.S. trade lane continue to fall, according to Drewry’s latest data.

Intermodal, coal, and grains are driving Class I railroad traffic higher.

China could block the sale of CK Hutchison’s global port facilities if it doesn’t get a stake in the deal involving a U.S. private equity firm and Mediterranean Shipping Company.  

Declining demand and a global tariff fight continue to undermine ocean container rates on key Asia-U.S. trade lanes.

The Port of Los Angeles saw container volume surge 8% to a monthly record in June.

Ocean container indicators turn negative as importers wait for developments on tariffs and trade policy.

The deposits are in soft coal, making them economically feasible to develop.

Ocean container rates on the key Asia-U.S. trade lanes continued their downward trend in the latest Freightos index.

Containerized imports through U.S. ports staged a modest comeback in June following a sharp drop in May.

Shippers are paying an average 21% tariff on containerized imports entering the United States, ocean line Maersk said.

The outlook for Asia trade agreements is improving, which is more than can be said for container rates on the eastbound trans-Pacific.

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/us-taking-closer-look-at-ocean-carriers-antitrust-immunity

Container rates are giving back recent gains, as U.S.-bound container traffic slumps after a surge fueled by the tariff pause. Shipping consultancy and SONAR data partner Drewry saw its World Container Index fall 9% this week, the second consecutive weekly drop following five weeks of gains.  “This decline is a direct result of low demand […]

The U.S. and China said they have agreed on a deal to reduce tariffs and expedite shipments of rare-earth metals.

The conflict between Israel and Iran has yet to hit tanker or container rates, while prices on the eastbound trans-Pacific may have peaked.

Tariffs helped snap 10 straight months of growth at the Port of Los Angeles, but a Yale economist says that the worst could be yet to come. 

Container rates on the Asia-U.S. trade lane surged as shippers rushed early peak- season traffic and carriers announced general rate increases, according to SONAR and Freightos data.