Trendwatch: Massive Surge in Transpacific Blank Sailings Amid U.S.-China Trade Tensions; China’s Cosco says US port charges threaten global supply chains; Freighter conversion market 'perking up', says bullish Airbus

Massive Surge in Transpacific Blank Sailings Amid U.S.-China Trade Tensions

Container shipping lines have dramatically increased blank sailings on Transpacific routes in response to escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China, according to a new report from Sea-Intelligence.

The total blanked capacity for weeks 16-19 has surged to 367,800 TEU, representing a significant increase from just 60,000 TEU three weeks prior. The Asia-North America West Coast trade lane has seen scheduled capacity drop by 12% compared to six weeks ago, while the Asia-North America East Coast route experienced an even steeper decline of 14%.

China’s Cosco says US port charges threaten global supply chains 

China’s largest container carrier on Monday lashed out at a U.S. plan to charge its ships steep fees to dock at American ports.

“We firmly oppose the accusations and the subsequent measures,” Cosco Shipping Lines said in a statement. “Such measures not only distort fair competition and impede the normal functioning of the global shipping industry, but also threaten its stable and sustainable development.

Freighter conversion market 'perking up', says bullish Airbus

Feedstock is beginning to percolate back into the freighter conversion sector after a year of delay, with Airbus confident the market is perking up.

Speaking to The Loadstar in Dubai on the sidelines of IATA’s World Cargo Symposium (WCS)last week, head of freighter marketing at the French aircraft manufacturer Crawford Hamilton said it was a good sign in an otherwise uncertain moment.

Air cargo volumes improve but uncertainty continues: WorldACD

Global tonnage improved three percent in week 15 (April 7-13) after the previous week’s drop of seven percent as markets that had closed for the Eid-al-Fitr holiday came back on stream.

"Comparison with last year’s developments for the holiday indicates that this constituted less than half of the decline in week 14, which suggests that demand has been further afflicted by uncertainty about the trade conflict triggered by the U.S. government," according to the latest update from WorldACD.

Trade volatility and regional conflicts knock Rotterdam’s first quarter figures

Cargo volumes handled at the Port of Rotterdam fell by nearly 6% in the first quarter of 2025, even before shipping is hit by Trump’s tariffs.

Both dry and liquid bulk throughput fell significantly year-on-year over the first three months. Europe’s largest port handled 28% less iron ore and scrap and more than 17% less coal. However, this was largely offset by higher volumes of agribulk and other dry bulk cargoes following the commissioning of a new bulk terminal. The net figure was an 8.6% reduction.

Indonesia March trade surplus, wider than expected, hits 4-month high

Indonesia reported on Monday a $4.33 billion trade surplus in March, more than expected and the widest in four months as shipments beat estimates on strong palm oil and nickel exports as well as a rush to beat the start date for U.S. tariffs.

A Reuters poll of analysts had expected a surplus of $2.64 billion in March. The March surplus was the largest since November 2024, according to LSEG data.

Singapore Strait Robberies Continue with MSC Boxship and Tanker Boarded

The surge in boardings and robberies is showing no signs of abating in the area around the straits of Singapore and Malacca. The monitoring operation ReCAAP has been raising the concern and now reports two additional vessels were boarded on Sunday and Monday after a two-week lull.

China reportedly puts a stop on delivery of Boeing aircraft

China-based airlines have reportedly been told to stop accepting deliveries of Boeing aircraft as part of the ongoing tariff dispute between Beijing and Washington.

Newswire Bloomberg reported last week that China had ordered its airlines to stop receiving Boeing aircraft, while The Wall Street Journal reported on 14 April that China told its carriers to stop ordering new Boeing jets and to receive approval before accepting already ordered aircraft.