Trendwatch: Maritime Industry Still Seeks Answers Over USTR Port Fee Rollout; EU considers more flexible climate target in hunt for deal, draft shows; Sec. Duffy: Continued Shutdown will Cause Flight Delays to Worsen

Maritime Industry Still Seeks Answers Over USTR Port Fee Rollout

In late-June, the World Shipping Council warned that there were "major problems" with several key aspects of planned fees against Chinese-owned and operated vessels calling U.S. ports. Although the fees have now been in effect since October 14, many of those problems flagged by the WSC remain, with owners and operators continuing to press the Trump administration for much-needed answers.

The U.S. Trade Representative released its notice of action announcing the port fees on April 17, which laid out plans to have U.S. ports start charging fees to Chinese-linked vessels in mid-October, and then feed that money back into the long-neglected U.S. shipbuilding industry. The 42-page notice included a timeline for how and where the fees would be assessed once they came into force, albeit with several conflicting details surrounding the scope of “Chinese-linked” ownership, vessel eligibility, and fee collection mechanisms.

EU considers more flexible climate target in hunt for deal, draft shows

European Union countries are negotiating proposals to give industries a more flexible path to meeting climate goals, a draft EU document showed, as the bloc attempts to win support from governments for a new 2040 emissions-cutting target.

The EU is negotiating a legally-binding target to cut net greenhouse gas emissions 90% by 2040, and is racing to approve the goal before world leaders gather for the U.N.'s COP30 climate summit on November 6.

Sec. Duffy: Continued Shutdown will Cause Flight Delays to Worsen

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy is warning that flight delays at airports are likely to get worse as the government shutdown continues to drag on.

Over 50 air traffic controller staffing shortages were reported at U.S. airports between October 24 and October 26, according to CNN, while more than 3,000 flights were delayed on October 26 alone. Speaking to Fox News, Duffy described how many controllers have been "wearing thin" and calling out of work, given their status as essential employees who have to remain on the job without pay during the government shutdown.

US inks Southeast Asia trade pacts, touts China negotiation progress

The United States shored up several trade relationships in Southeast Asia and may be nearing a formalized agreement with China after negotiations at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Malaysia this weekend.

On Sunday, the U.S. announced trade agreements with Malaysia and Cambodia while securing framework deals with Thailand and Vietnam. The terms of each pact cement previously announced tariff rates on imports to the U.S. from each country while expanding market access for U.S. exports.

Major flag states backed postponing IMO Net Zero Framework

The majority of top flag states voted either in favour of postponing the Net Zero Framework (NZF) by a year, or abstained, according to figures released by the IMO.

A readout of the voting on whether or not to adjourn the recent extraordinary meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) by a year showed that world’s two largest flag states – Liberia and Panama voted in favour of the postponement.

Sealegend Announces 16 China Arctic Express Voyages for 2026 Following Success of ‘Istanbul Bridge’ Transit

Container shipping via the Arctic is set for a massive boost in 2026. After completing the first-ever Arctic Express voyage from Ningbo-Zhoushan, China to Felixstowe, UK in a record 20 days earlier this month, Chinese operator Sealegend plans to conduct 16 voyages via the Arctic next year.

“Overall, the inaugural voyage of the Northeast Passage of the Arctic Seaway has basically met expectations. The Arctic Seaway has natural advantages and is indeed worthy of vigorous promotion,” said the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Li Xiaobin, in a recent interview.

Royal Air Maroc Cargo marks 35 years of operations at Brussels Airport

Royal Air Maroc Cargo has celebrated 35 years of continuous service at Brussels Airport, reaffirming its long-standing role in linking Morocco, Africa, and Europe through one of its most strategic gateways. Since its first cargo flight to Brussels in 1990, the Moroccan carrier has turned the Belgian capital into a vital hub for intercontinental trade flows.