Pacific International Lines (PIL) has opened a new office in Santiago, Chile, further solidifying its market position in Latin America. The new office will provide customized shipping solutions and enhance multimodal logistics services to meet the growing container transportation demands in Chile.
The container capacity on the Far East to East Coast route is continuously expanding, with 9 regular lines now and a 36% increase in annual trade capability compared to last year. Major shipping companies are reshaping the market landscape through new routes and smaller vessel operations, reflecting the growing market demand.
In the second half of 2025, the container shipping market is facing multiple challenges including U.S. tariff policies, the situation in the Red Sea, and fleet growth. Experts suggest that container trade may decline, with ship supply exceeding demand, while the market's volatility and uncertainty will significantly impact capacity and freight rates.
In the first half of this year, 191 second-hand containerships were sold, with 100 purchased by shipping companies, notably MSC and CMA CGM. CMA CGM has recently acquired two more 1300 TEU vessels, reflecting the urgent need for flexible capacity among shipping companies.
Inspection and quarantine of containers are crucial in international trade, especially for food and frozen products. Pre-shipment cleaning, sanitation, and suitability inspections are required, and containers not needing pest control can receive an inspection report. The validity of export inspection is 21 days, and re-inspection is necessary if it expires. These steps ensure the safety and hygiene of the goods.
This article discusses how to avoid demurrage charges for imports, emphasizing the importance of thorough planning. Importers should confirm container return yards with carriers during customs clearance and immediately coordinate with depots to schedule timely pickup and unloading. This approach saves time, reduces detention fees, and improves logistics efficiency. Case examples demonstrate how advance planning and seamless online-offline coordination help companies lower transport costs.
Containers transformed global trade despite early operational challenges. Intermodal transport innovations modernized containerization through design and operational breakthroughs. Today, 90% of global cargo moves via containers, reshaping world economies.
The FR container is a specially designed container primarily used for transporting oversized and heavy equipment, including super long, wide, and high cargo. Its design eliminates the top and side walls, allowing for greater flexibility and safety during transport. Alongside refrigerated containers and open-top containers, the FR container offers diverse options for the logistics industry, greatly facilitating the transportation of heavy machinery and large goods.
Goldman Sachs predicts a "two highs, one low" scenario for the shipping industry in the coming years. Dry bulk and tanker freight rates are expected to remain high, benefiting from demand growth and capacity constraints. However, container liner freight rates face the risk of decline due to overcapacity and increased competition. The report analyzes the supply and demand dynamics and investment opportunities in each segment, providing a reference for investors. It highlights the diverging trends within the shipping sector.
This paper delves into the container loading process, operational key points, and risk control within freight forwarding. It covers the definition and types of loading (in-house, production loading, and 'three-self' loading), detailed procedures (pre-loading preparation, loading process, post-loading handling), common problems, and risk control measures. Furthermore, it explores strategies to improve loading efficiency. This serves as a practical guide for foreign trade enterprises and freight forwarding practitioners, providing insights into best practices and risk mitigation in container loading operations.
