Trendwatch: Hapag-Lloyd acquires Zim; US tariffs, Chinese competition weigh on EU trade; Frankfurt back on top as cargo volumes grow at European hubs

Hapag-Lloyd acquires Zim

German carrier Hapag-Lloyd has entered into a $4bn agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in New York-listed Israeli carrier Zim Integrated Shipping Services.

In announcement made today, which is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval, Hapag-Lloyd said the combined fleet of 400 vessels will have a nominal standing capacity of over 3m teu and will handle in excess of 18m teu annually.

US tariffs, Chinese competition weigh on EU trade

The EU's trade surplus kept shrinking, data showed on Friday, as tariffs weighed on exports to the U.S. and rising Chinese imports crowded out domestic production, highlighting existential threats to the bloc's economic model.

Shifting trade and political relations with the world's biggest powers have been squeezing Europe for years, and leaders met yet again on Thursday to brainstorm ways to survive aggressive economic rivalry from the U.S. and China.

Frankfurt back on top as cargo volumes grow at European hubs

Figures from Airports Council International (ACI) Europe show that overall cargo demand at European airports increased by 3.2% year on year in 2025.

Frankfurt returned to the top spot as its cargo volumes increased by 2% to 1.99m tonnes.

“Over the course of the year, a steady upward trend in cargo volumes at Frankfurt Airport became apparent,” the airport said.

Shipping lobby warns US against port fee plan that could spark reprisal

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the industry’s top lobby group, has cautioned Washington over its plans to revitalise domestic shipbuilding by charging foreign-built vessels higher port fees. 

The Trump administration’s long‑awaited Maritime Action Plan (MAP) has resurrected a controversial proposal to charge foreign‑built ships a per‑kilogram fee on imported cargo.

Arctic ship traffic hits record high in 2025 as resource projects drive growth

Ship traffic in the Arctic reached a new milestone in 2025, with 1,812 unique vessels operating inside the Polar Code area, according to new data released by the Arctic Council Working Group on the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME). The figures mark a 40% increase from 2013, when PAME began tracking traffic through its Arctic Ship Traffic Data (ASTD) system.

Air cargo demand blooms ahead of Valentine’s Day

Network Airline Management (NAM) this year transported 3,100 tons of freshly cut flowers from Nairobi to Liege, to meet demand for Valentine’s Day. 

For the 2026 Valentine’s rush, the company operated 16 regular scheduled flights and 15 additional flights – its highest number to date.

“Each flight with our fleet of Boeing 747F aircraft was pushed to its maximum potential, carrying more than 100  tons of roses and carnations per trip,” the company said in a press release.

Royal Air Maroc Cargo celebrates 45 years of trusted presence in the United States

Royal Air Maroc Cargo, the cargo arm of Morocco’s national carrier, celebrates over 45 years of service in the U.S. market, which it entered in 1979 with the Casablanca–New York (JFK) route.

Royal Air Maroc Cargo’s U.S. operations account for nearly 90 percent of its transatlantic volumes, diplomatic shipments, and traditional Moroccan crafts. The airline’s gateway distribution across the U.S. is led by JFK (65%), followed by Miami (10%) and Washington Dulles (25%).

Global GSA Group and Alaska Airlines launch Rome-Seattle flights

Global GSA Group and Alaska Airlines have signed a General Sales & Service Agent (GSSA) partnership ahead of the airline’s late April launch of direct Italy-US flights from Rome-Fiumicino to its Seattle hub. The experienced GSSA will secure and develop the airline’s cargo business out of Italy, which seeks to position Seattle as a key air gateway to North America and beyond.

This partnership with Global GSA Group, one of Europe’s leading GSSAs, supports the carrier’s drive for enhanced cargo capability across transatlantic and transpacific markets and helps it excel in the freight market.