In the first quarter of 2025, Port of Antwerp-Bruges reports it handled 67.7 million tonnes of cargo, a drop of 4.0% compared to the same period last year. But container throughput increased while bulk cargo declined. The port continues to navigate global challenges such as shifting market dynamics, geopolitical tensions and the ongoing pressure on […]
Strong container traffic at Port of Antwerp-Bruges Read More »
The International Monetary Fund today announced sharply-lowered world growth forecasts for this year and 2026 and warned the outlook could deteriorate further in an escalating trade war sparked by President Trump’s century-high tariffs impacting all countries. The global economy is predicted to grow 2.8% this year, down from a previous forecast of 3.3%, and by
IMF slashes global growth forecasts amid Trump-ignited trade war Read More »
According to a new report from Sea-Intelligence, container shipping lines have dramatically increased blank sailings on Transpacific routes as a result of the escalating trade conflict between the U.S. and China. Under the latest developments, the U.S. boosted tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%, while China retaliated with 125% tariffs on U.S. imports and restrictions
Dramatic surge of blank sailings between Asia and North America West Coast Read More »
China’s biggest container carrier, Cosco Shipping Lines, today struck out at the revised plan by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to charge steep fees to Chinese-built vessels docking at American ports. “We firmly oppose the accusations and the subsequent measures,” Cosco Shipping Lines said in a statement. “Such measures not only distort fair competition
Chinese shipping lines and government attack USTR’s revised fee proposal Read More »
In announcing watered down measures from a February proposal for port fees on China-built vessels in order to revive American shipbuilding, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Thursday also accorded a reprieve to owners of vessels servicing the Great Lakes, the Caribbean and U.S. territories. There was notably positive news for senior representatives of Canadian Great
Canadian Great Lakes carriers exempted from USTR levies on China-built vessels Read More »
The World Shipping Council (WSC) today voiced serious concerns regarding the port fee regime announced by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), cautioning that the measures targeting Chinese maritime dominance could undermine American trade, hurt U.S. producers, and weaken efforts to strengthen the nation’s maritime industry. The measures “Revitalizing America’s maritime sector is an important and
World Shipping Council urges constructive solutions following USTR port fee announcement Read More »
The volume of world merchandise trade is expected to decline by 0.2% in 2025 under current conditions, nearly three percentage points lower than what would have been expected under a “low tariff” baseline scenario, according to the WTO Secretariat’s latest Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report released on 16 April. This is premised on the
Sharp deterioration of global trade outlook amid Trump tariff warfare Read More »
Following two days of negotiations during its 2025 session at the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, the Subcommittee on Wages of Seafarers of the Joint Maritime Commission (JMC), reached a bipartite agreement to update the current ILO minimum monthly basic wage for an able seafarer from US$673 to US$690 as of 1 January 2026,
Bipartite agreement at ILO to increase seafarer wages Read More »
The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has revealed a rise in global piracy and armed robbery incidents in the first quarter of 2025 – driven by a spike of incidents in the Singapore Straits. A total of 45 cases of piracy and armed robbery against ships were recorded in the first three months of 2025
Incidents in Singapore Straits spur rise in global piracy Read More »
A groundbreaking Joint Development Agreement (JDA) has been signed to establish the world’s first liquid hydrogen import corridor, connecting the Sultanate of Oman, the Netherlands, and Germany. This corridor will link the port of Duqm in Oman, the port of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and key logistics hubs in Germany, including the port of Duisburg
Hydrogen import corridor between Oman, the Netherlands and Germany Read More »