Trendwatch: Panama Canal marks 112 years of operations with a forward-looking vision; Empty containers a freighted issue for global trade growth; Canada braces for 50% US tariffs, with negotiators still far apart

Panama Canal marks 112 years of operations with a forward-looking vision

The Panama Canal marked 112 years of operations this past weekend while maintaining a forward-looking vision aimed at strengthening its strategic role in global trade, ensuring sustainability, and generating benefits for the people of Panama. As a key artery of world commerce, the Panama Canal handles approximately 3% of global maritime trade.

The interoceanic waterway, inaugurated on August 15, 1914, and expanded in 2016 with the addition of the Neopanamax locks, connects 180 trade routes and 1,920 ports in 170 countries by facilitating the movement of cargo with an estimated annual trade value of USD 444 billion.

Canada braces for 50% US tariffs, with negotiators still far apart

Canada faces a new round of 50% U.S. tariffs this week that businesses said could cause job losses in some already struggling industries, while complicating broader negotiations over the future of North America's free trade agreement.

U.S. President Donald Trump last month invoked Section 338 of a Depression-era U.S. law called the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose duties starting on Wednesday on a range of Canadian imports including wine, furniture, dairy products, cement, clothing, fishing rods, hockey equipment and some other goods.

Coalition Moves to Counter Resurgence of Piracy

Member states of the Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCOC) are setting up a task force to address a resurgence of piracy in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.

As part of the initiative, DCOC nations are calling on members to exchange intelligence on suspicious vessels and emerging piracy threats, coordinate naval and coast guard operations, and work more closely with the shipping industry, as well as with international partners. The task force will also look to strengthen regional surveillance and response capabilities, while improving how quickly member states can act when piracy incidents are reported.

Saudia Cargo begins Dhaka-Frankfurt route

Saudia Cargo has launched a scheduled freighter route connecting Dhaka, Bangladesh, to Frankfurt, Germany in a bid to cater for pharmaceuticals, textiles, industrial equipment, and e-commerce air cargo demand.

The service began on 14 August and comprises two weekly flights that Saudia Cargo said would enhance trade flow and logistics efficiency between Asian and European markets and help it provide faster air cargo transit times for shippers and freight forwarders.

Chinese Shipper Launches First Cargo Service Through Arctic

Chinese shipper Sea Legend is starting the world's first regular cargo service to Europe through the icy waters of the Arctic.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Sea Legend is sending its Dubai Tower vessel between Ningbo, China, and Felixstowe in the United Kingdom, along a route that follows Russia's northern coast. The Dubai Tower can carry up to 1,740 twenty-foot containers, making it the largest commercial ship to transit the Arctic since a Maersk container vessel made the journey in 2018.

China’s premier calls for stabilising external demand as growth sputters

China's Premier Li Qiang on Monday called for efforts to stabilise external demand and expand international trade cooperation, as weak domestic demand weighs on growth and external risks loom.

"Currently, the problem of insufficient domestic demand remains prominent, some industries and enterprises are facing increasing difficulties, and uncertainties in external environment are rising," Li said at a meeting of the state council, China's cabinet, according to state media Xinhua.