Ricardo Lins, president of the Panama National Maritime Authority, urges the country to avoid oligopoly in port management. He emphasizes the need for transparent regulations to attract new shipping companies and investments, strengthen market competition, and ensure long-term development.
Air Macau has partnered with AVS GSA to expand its air freight business in Thailand. Both parties will collaborate on sales and marketing, operational support, and customer service to drive market growth and enhance service quality, in response to the increasing demand for air freight.
The shipping market between China and the United States is facing significant challenges due to trade friction, with over 80 voyages canceled and a sharp drop in market demand. This indicates that the global supply chain may encounter more profound impacts in the future.
Maersk announced it would stop transporting goods for 97 companies related to Israeli settlements due to a stricter human rights screening process, despite still participating in the transportation of F-35 projects through its subsidiaries.
Freight rates on US routes continue to decline, with the SCFI index falling for three consecutive weeks. The oversupply situation has made companies cautious about shipping, leading to concerns among industry insiders about future rate drops. Despite pressures from the global trade landscape, the market still hopes for a rebound in rates with the arrival of the traditional peak season.
Daya Mahs Port is set to expand its southern wharf by adding 350 meters of dock and heavy storage facilities to meet the demands of large infrastructure projects. This initiative aims to enhance the port's handling capacity and promote regional economic development, with planning permission expected by 2026.
Norwegian Eitzen Group has secured $19 million in funding to build the world's largest all-electric container ship, promoting sustainable shipping development and marking significant progress in the shipping industry's transition towards electrification.
Recent developments in China-US trade relations have led to a significant increase in shipping costs, with container freight rates from Shanghai to New York rising by 19%. A shortage of shipping capacity and the evolving trade dynamics have further exacerbated this trend, and it is expected that costs may continue to rise in the future.
The Hamburg Port Authority of Germany has announced multiple railway closures starting from August 2025 due to the renovation of the Finkenwerder Bridge, which will affect major container terminals at Hamburg Port. Additionally, there are plans for closures at northern ports, and shippers should arrange shipments in advance and pay attention to congestion at the ports.
The recent developments in U.S. sanctions against Iran have raised new concerns, as four Chinese shipping companies were added to the sanctions list for alleged illegal oil trading, facing severe penalties that affect the global shipping market. The international community has expressed concerns over America's unilateral sanctions and is calling for dialogue to resolve the issues.
