Trendwatch: Caribbean Shipping Confronts New Era of Risk After U.S. Raid in Venezuela; Vietnam’s annual growth reaches 8% as trade surplus with US hits record despite tariffs; Asia Pacific air cargo volumes rise 6.2% in November

Caribbean Shipping Confronts New Era of Risk After U.S. Raid in Venezuela

Over a weekend that will reshape the southern Caribbean for years to come, commercial shipping in the region entered uncharted waters. 

The United States military strike on Venezuela that captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores has transformed one of the hemisphere’s key coastal states into a contested zone of authority, forcing shipowners, charterers and insurers to confront operational risks on a scale the region has not witnessed in decades.

Vietnam’s annual growth reaches 8% as trade surplus with US hits record despite tariffs

Vietnam's economy grew by 8% in 2025, accelerating from the previous year's pace due to robust exports despite U.S. tariffs, preliminary government data showed on Monday, as the country posted its highest annual trade surplus with Washington.

The Southeast Asian nation, which is one of the top exporters to the United States, is still in talks with Washington over a possible trade deal but has largely shrugged off U.S. duties of 20% imposed on its goods by the Trump administration to cut Vietnam's huge trade advantage.

Asia Pacific air cargo volumes rise 6.2% in November

Asia Pacific airlines boosted their air cargo volumes in November as a result of increased export activity from Asian economies.

Carriers in the region recorded a 6.2% year-on-year increase in international air cargo demand, as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), according to preliminary November 2025 traffic figures released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).

The rise reflected increased export activity from Asian economies, particularly in Southeast Asia and India.

Emirates SkyCargo aims to add 10 777Fs in 2026

Emirates SkyCargo has outlined its ambitions for the coming 12 months with the addition of more freighters at the centre of its plans.

The Emirates cargo division said that over the coming year, it hopes to add a total of 10 Boeing 777 freighters to expand cargo capacity, enhance its network and further develop flexibility and schedule reliability.

The airline’s freighter fleet currently stands at 11 Boeing 777Fs and five wet-leased Boeing 747s. By the end of the year, it plans to operate at least 21 777 freighters.

Liege Airport launches first direct scheduled cargo link to Chongqing

Liege Airport has strengthened its cargo connectivity with China following the launch of a new scheduled freighter service operated by Suparna Airlines, directly linking Liege with Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. The service, which commenced operations on January 5, marks the first-ever direct air cargo connection between Liege and Chongqing, opening a new gateway between Western China and Europe.

The addition of Chongqing to Liege Airport’s cargo network is a strategic milestone for the Belgian hub, widely recognised as Europe’s largest freighter airport. The route not only expands Liege’s footprint in China but also reinforces its role as a critical logistics bridge between Asia and Europe at a time when supply chains are increasingly focused on speed, reliability and diversification.

South Korea prepares for Arctic container transit pilot

A 3,000 teu South Korean-flagged vessel is expected to make a pilot voyage from Busan to Rotterdam this summer via the Northern Sea Route (NSR), according to reports from consultant Alphaliner.

South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries committed to investing in ice strengthened vessel designs and upgrading the ports of Jinhae and Gwangyang in preparation for NSR services that are expected to begin by 2030.

IMO Secretary-General sets his priorities for 2026 in new year message

International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has emphasized key items on the IMO's upcoming agenda.

In a video message, Secretary-General Dominguez said:

“As we start 2026, I would like to focus on something simple: getting things done. At IMO, this is the year of implementation; moving from plans to concrete actions and measurable progress, reflected in our world maritime theme: “From Policy to Practice – Powering Maritime Excellence.”  

CMA CGM’s New Service Connects U.S. East Coast With Australia

CMA CGM is rolling out a new ocean service that links the U.S. East Coast with Oceania, giving shippers another way to move freight between North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

The service, known as KEA, is scheduled to start in early February. It will connect several U.S. East Coast ports with major ports in Australia and New Zealand through a space charter agreement with Maersk. Under that arrangement, CMA CGM will use slots on Maersk vessels already operating on the route.