Trendwatch: China, US agree to tariff cuts on $60 billion of goods including agriculture, household items; Panama Canal to Roll Back Transit and Draft Restrictions; Suez return speeds up Savannah India service by 10-14 days

China, US agree to tariff cuts on $60 billion of goods including agriculture, household items

China and the United States have agreed to cut tariffs imposed on $60 billion worth of goods imported from each other, on an array of products ranging from US corn to cosmetics, and from Chinese household appliances to toys.

Under the US-China Board of Trade, both countries have each recommended $30 billion of trade in non-sensitive goods for more favourable tariff treatment, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement on Sunday

Panama Canal to Roll Back Transit and Draft Restrictions

The Panama Canal has announced that it will be increasing its number of daily transits for its Neopanamax locks and raising its maximum authorized draft for vessels, following the return of rainfall to the canal's watershed.

Starting on October 15, Neopanamax transits will increase from nine slots to 10, bringing the combined number of transits including Panamax locks up from 32 to 33. Neopanamax vessel drafts will also increase from 48.5 feet to 49 feet. The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) says that it will continue to closely monitor water conditions and rainfall levels for any other potential adjustments.

Suez return speeds up Savannah India service by 10-14 days

The return of container services to the Suez Canal is accelerating cargo flows from India to the Port of Savannah.

The return of selected container services to the Suez Canal is accelerating cargo flows from India to the Port of Savannah by 10 to 14 days, giving importers faster inventory replenishment and potentially lowering inventory-carrying costs, Georgia Ports Authority officials said.

USTR Urged to Extend Suspension of Port Fees Against China-Linked Ships

A coalition of retailers, manufacturers, logistics providers and freight businesses are urging the Trump administration to extend its suspension of planned fees against Chinese-built vessels calling American ports.

The U.S. Trade Representative had initially implemented fees of up to $120 per container against ships with ties to China at U.S. ports in October 2025, before suspending the fees for a year on November 10, 2025. The policy was first proposed by the Trump administration over national security concerns stemming from China's status as the world's biggest shipbuilder, and as a means to provide a boost to a long-dormant U.S. commercial shipbuilding sector.

Cathay Cargo introduces AI-assisted screening for permit requirements

Cathay Cargo has introduced an AI-assisted screening capability that is expected to give customers greater visibility of permit obligations as they navigate increasingly complex import, export and transhipment requirements worldwide, while equipping frontline teams with enhanced insights for more efficient follow-up.

The new digital capability applies AI-assisted language analysis to check shipment information against relevant trade-control requirements, interpreting goods descriptions beyond simple keyword matching, explained Cathay Cargo.

New research, tools, and training help strengthen rail safety and resilience

Severe weather, natural hazards, and other disruptive events can threaten the safety and reliability of rail systems and the people and goods that depend on them. New research from the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) and its university partners offers railroad operators, public agencies, emergency managers, and other transportation professionals new tools and approaches to identify risks and improve rail system resilience.

Hapag-Lloyd boosts Zim offer and 2026 earnings outlook

Hapag-Lloyd has raised its group EBIT forecast for 2026 to $1.25bn-$1.75bn from its previous level of $01.-$1.1bn due to strong market demand and “ongoing positive development of freight rates.”

While the German container line warned that geopolitical challenges and volatile freight rates leave its forecast subject to a high degree of uncertainty, group EBITDA was also raised to $3.9bn-$4.4bn from $2.7bn-$3.7bn.

Maersk Completes First Ethanol Bunkering in US Testing Bioethanol

Maersk reports it recently completed the first ship-to-ship commercial ethanol bunkering of a container vessel in the United States. It was a 100 percent bioethanol blend from U.S. producer Poet as part of an ongoing trial by Maersk of ethanol and alternative fuels.