Trendwatch: Cosco and OOCL committed to US market despite port fees; Indonesia, EU seal trade deal, hope to offset Trump tariffs; Cathay Cargo sees strong growth as freight demand rises

Cosco and OOCL committed to US market despite port fees

Cosco Shipping Container Lines and Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) issued announcements regarding to the action that the United States will begin assessing port service fees on maritime transport services provided by Chinese operators and shipowners, as well as operators using Chinese-built vessels, effective 14 October 2025.

The new fees follow an investigation into China’s dominance of the shipbuilding industry by the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

Indonesia, EU seal trade deal, hope to offset Trump tariffs

Indonesia and the European Union concluded a free trade agreement on Tuesday after nine years of talks, with both aiming to boost exports and investment and to offset the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Both sides will remove import duties on more than 90% of products, most of them as soon as the deal enters force, with the rest, including Indonesia's 50% duty on EU cars, phased out over five years.

Cathay Cargo sees strong growth as freight demand rises

The Cathay Group reported strong cargo performance in August 2025, with Cathay Cargo carrying 13% more freight compared with the same month last year. Available Freight Tonne Kilometres (AFTKs) rose by 15%, while overall tonnage in the first eight months of 2025 increased by 11% year on year.

Cathay’s Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, Lavinia Lau, said demand for capacity into the Americas remained robust in August. She highlighted that the carrier’s Cathay Dangerous Goods solution recorded notable growth, driven particularly by lithium battery shipments to Oceania.

Largest US rail union endorses UP, NS merger after job deal

The United States' largest railroad union, SMART, said on Monday it would back Union Pacific's proposed $85 billion merger with Norfolk Southern after securing job protection guarantees for its members.

The sector's largest-ever buyout, aimed at creating the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S., has won White House backing as Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern prepare to file a formal merger application with the Surface Transportation Board.

What Navi Mumbai International Airport will offer for air cargo

The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), the second airport serving the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) alongside the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), is nearing its inauguration on September 30th. The spotlight is not only on enhanced passenger convenience but also on its state-of-the-art cargo facilities, which promise to transform Maharashtra into India’s logistics powerhouse.

Freighter fleet constraints could impact air cargo’s ability to grow

The slow addition of new freighter aircraft to the market and the need to retire older models could hit air cargo’s ability to grow in the coming years.

Speaking at the Caspian Air Cargo Summit, Martin Drew, chief strategy and transformation officer of Atlas Air Worldwide, highlighted expectations of ongoing demand growth in the coming years despite the current geopolitical challenges.

AeroGround and Lufthansa sign long-term contract

The Munich Airport subsidiary AeroGround and Lufthansa have signed a new, long-term handling agreement. This agreement is retroactive from November 1, 2024, and ends on October 31, 2031. As in the previous contract, the scope of services includes apron aircraft and baggage handling, including aircraft loading supervision (ALS), freight transport, fresh water/toilet services, and the transport of passengers and crew. Several additional services, such as a service level agreement to ensure handling quality, are also included in the contract.

CMA CGM acquiring UK rail freight operator

CMA CGM is set to acquire UK rail freight operator Freightliner for an undisclosed sum in a deal expected to close in early 2026.

The transaction will see the container line taking over Freightliner’s business which encompasses rail and road operations, inland terminals, as well as the Freightliner brand, in the UK. CMA CGM said the business would be run independently with its existing team and maintain its multi-user and multi-customer approach.

MSC launches direct service to Middle East via Abu Dhabi

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has announced that it will launch a new direct service to the Middle East.

From October, a new direct shipping service will connect South America with the Middle East, with Abu Dhabi serving as a central transshipment hub.