March 26 2025, freight market updates, featuring key insights and trends from the US, Turkey, China, and other global regions in cargo and shipping.

March 26, 2025.png

Greetings!Our objective is to make your shipping experience easier by offering you the latest and most informative details and insights regarding the freight market. We aim to provide accurate and relevant content that brings benefits to your business.We highly value your feedback as we continuously strive to improve the quality of our weekly market updates. We value your thoughts on our current content and encourage you to suggest specific topics that you would like us to cover in more depth.We wish to create the most informative newsletter possible. We appreciate your continued readership and subscription, and we thank you for taking the time to provide us with your valuable feedback, which will help us enhance our future performance.

From the Editor’s Desk

<ul style="margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;padding-inline-start:48px;"><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Seven regional carriers based in Asia have partnered to launch a new weekly express service between Asia and Mexico.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">The new service will add at least 15,000 TEUs of capacity to the growing trade route.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Hapag Lloyd has announced a general rate increase (GRI) on shipments from Asia to multiple destinations, including South America's East and West Coasts, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, starting April 1.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Panelists at an AMICIE seminar in Singapore discussed geopolitical risks in international trade and shipping.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">SeaLead Singapore’s COO, Chow Kitwei, addressed the potential impact of the USTR’s proposed $1.5 million tariffs on China-made ships entering U.S. ports.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#0e101a;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">TMC Marine reports a significant rise in container losses due to vessels avoiding the Red Sea.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">MSC, through its subsidiary Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), has partnered with BlackRock to acquire nearly 80% of Hutchison Port Holdings' overseas assets in a $22.8 billion deal.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">The Gemini Cooperation between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd is experiencing network disruptions.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Proposed entrance fees of up to $1.5 million per vessel could impact 98% of ships calling at U.S. ports.</li></ul>Read on for more in-depth updates.

Key takeaways for the US

Ocean Freight Market Updates

Freight market update - 26 March 2025

March 20 2025, freight market updates, featuring key insights and trends from the US, Turkey, China, and other global regions in cargo and shipping.

March 20, 2025.png

<ul style="margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;padding-inline-start:48px;"><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">The 2025 TPM Conference in Long Beach, California, brought industry leaders together to discuss the challenges facing global trade and logistics.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">A key development was the proposed US port tax on China-built containerships, which could increase shipping costs by $1,000 per TEU, leading to an industry-wide impact of $20 billion.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">The Gemini Cooperation is targeting 90% performance levels and is expected to achieve this after three full operational cycles.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">After a long period of avoidance, shipping lines are discussing a gradual return to the Suez Canal, though the transition must be carefully managed to prevent market volatility.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">In 2025, carrier priorities will focus on improving network efficiency and expanding market share.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#0e101a;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">MSC is making adjustments to its US West Coast services, CHINOOK and ORIENT, by adding port calls and expanding service capacity.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">In Bangladesh, Ramadan, which began on March 2nd, has led to a reduction in daily working hours by 5-6 hours due to prayer breaks.</li></ul>Read on for more in-depth updates.

Freight market update - 20 March 2025

March 12 2025, freight market updates, featuring key insights and trends from the US, Turkey, China, and other global regions in cargo and shipping.

March 12, 2025.png

<ul style="margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;padding-inline-start:48px;"><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Panelists at the Journal of Commerce’s TPM25 conference warned that the container market is facing a downturn in 2025.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Fleet capacity has increased by 33%, while trade growth was only 9% in 2024.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Asia-North America trade volumes grew by 28% from 2019 to 2024.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">In contrast, North America-Asia trade declined by 15%.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Platts reported that Eastbound Trans-Pacific spot rates to the U.S. West Coast have already dropped by 53% this year.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#0e101a;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">At TPM25, Lars Jensen, CEO of Vespucci Maritime, stated that the container market remains strong despite declining spot rates on major East-West routes.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#0e101a;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">When Suez transits resume, European retailers may adjust supply chains, potentially reducing demand on Asia-Europe routes by 10%.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) for March 6, 2025, dropped by 3% per 40ft container.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">The Pacific trade saw a sharp 9% decline, marking the lowest rate since January 2024.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">MSC has withdrawn its Trans-Pacific Mustang service and is reallocating its largest 24,000 TEU vessels to the Med and West Africa routes.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#0e101a;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">The Gemini Cooperation aims to achieve 90% performance levels but will likely need three full cycles to do so.</li></ul>Read on for more in-depth updates.

Freight market update - 12 March 2025

March 5 2025, freight market updates, featuring key insights and trends from the US, Turkey, China, and other global regions in cargo and shipping.

March 5, 2025.png

<ul style="margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;padding-inline-start:48px;"><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">The deployed capacity on the Asia to Latin America trade lane has more than doubled on a quarterly basis over the past three years.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">According to MDS Transmodal data, deployed capacity surpassed 2 million TEUs in the first quarter.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">An Ocean Network Express (ONE) spokesperson stated that the ocean carrier will introduce newbuild vessels on its Asia-West Coast South America service in early March.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) forecasts a 5% increase in air cargo demand for 2025.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">This projection aligns with the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) estimate of 3.3% global GDP growth for 2025-2026.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Hughes cited Xeneta data showing that load factors in the Asia-Pacific region are around 80%, indicating that aircraft are operating near full capacity.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) has ratified a new six-year master contract with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX).</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">ILA President Harold Daggett described the $35 billion deal as historic.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#0e101a;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">China dominates the global shipbuilding market, controlling two-thirds of it, while the U.S. holds just 1%.</li></ul>Read on for more in-depth updates.

Freight market update - 5 March 2025

February 26 2025, freight market updates, featuring key insights and trends from the US, Turkey, China, and other global regions in cargo and shipping.

February 26, 2025.png

<ul style="margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;padding-inline-start:48px;"><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lowered its global trade growth forecasts in the January 2025 World Economic Outlook (WEO) report.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">According to Sea-Intelligence, the IMF now expects global trade growth to reach 3.2% in 2025 and 3.3% in 2026.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach experienced their busiest January as importers expedited cargo shipments ahead of expected tariff hikes on goods from China, Canada, and Mexico.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">The Port of Los Angeles handled 924,245 TEUs, an 8% increase from the previous year, according to Executive Director Gene Seroka.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">The Port of Long Beach also saw record-breaking January performance, moving 952,733 TEUs, a 41.4% surge from last year.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Spot rates on the Trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe trades are moving in different directions.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">The ILA strike ended quickly during China’s Golden Week holiday.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">USWC port volumes have increased by approximately 16-20% compared to the same period in 2023.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Port congestion in Asia, USWC ports, and some USEC ports like Charleston is contributing to schedule unreliability and potential blank sailings.</li></ul>Read on for more in-depth updates.

Freight market update - 26 February 2025

February 21 2025, freight market updates, featuring key insights and trends from the US, Turkey, China, and other global regions in cargo and shipping.

February 21, 2025.png

<ul style="margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;padding-inline-start:48px;"><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">The Trump administration’s stance on the de minimis tariff exemption has added to U.S. trade dynamics.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">The Suez Canal Authority is working to restore maritime traffic by improving security.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Plans include a 10 km canal extension to increase daily transits by 6-8 vessels.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">MSC and Hapag-Lloyd will implement a PSS starting March 1 for shipments from North Europe to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd’s Gemini Cooperation aims to enhance efficiency and exceed 90% schedule reliability.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Carrier schedule reliability has dropped by 10% year over year, according to Sea Intelligence.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">The slack season has begun following China’s Golden Week holiday.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Major Chinese ports, including transshipment hubs like Shanghai and Ningbo, are experiencing significant congestion.</li></ul>Read on for more in-depth updates.

Freight market update - 21 February 2025

Why Omni-Channel Automation is a Game Changer for Modern Businesses

Freight market update - 10 April 2024

Freight market update - 1 May 2024

Freight market update - 22 May 2024

Freight market update - 12 June 2024

Freight market update - 3 July 2024

Freight market update - 24 July 2024

Freight market update - 7 August 2024

The Future of D2C Fulfillment: 2025 Trends and Innovations

Advanced Warehousing Solutions for High-Volume Retailers

Freight market update - 12 December 2024

How Effective Inventory Management Can Transform Your Business

Freight market update - 29 August 2024

Freight market update - 12 September 2024

Freight market update - 26 September 2024

How to Successfully Enter the US Market: Essential Logistics Tips for Startups

How to Calculate Ocean Freight Charges: Factors, Formulas, and Real-Life Examples

Freight market update - 26 December 2024

Freight market update - 9 January 2025

Omni-Channel Strategies for Growing E-Commerce Businesses

Freight market update - 23 January 2025

Freight market update - 30 January 2025

Freight market update - 5 February 2025

Freight market update - 12 February 2025

Demystifying All-Inclusive Freight Rates: What Shippers Need to Know

Freight market update - 25 October 2023

The Ultimate Guide to Freight Rate Optimization in 2025

How To Better Manage Ocean Freight?

Freight market update - 27 March 2024

Freight market update - 17 April 2024

Freight market update - 10 January 2024

Freight market update - 07 February 2024

Freight market update - 27 December 2023

Freight market update - 8 May 2024

Freight market update - 29 May 2024

Freight market update - 14 February 2024

Freight market update - 19 June 2024

Freight market update - 10 July 2024

Freight market update - 5 September 2024

Freight market update - 31 July 2024

Freight market update - 14 August 2024

Freight market update - 20 December 2023

Freight market update - 21 August 2024

Freight market update - 19 September 2024

Freight market update - 17 October 2024

 101 Guide to Understanding the U.S. Port Strike and How to Avoid Supply Chain Disruption

Beeontrade Blog

Blogs about trading

Trading Blogs

Beeontrade Blog Page

Blogs

Daily Blogs About Trading