Trendwatch: Resumption of Suez transits in doubt after return of Red Sea hostilities; FMC empowered to investigate international 'shipping chokepoints'; French dockworkers suspend plan for “Dead Port” starting on March 18

Resumption of Suez transits in doubt after return of Red Sea hostilities

Hope for a resumption of Suez Canal transits by container lines were dented over the weekend, after the US and Yemen’s rebel Houthis group traded missile attacks.

Today, Houthis leaders said they had launched a wave of missile and drone attacks on US warships, following a series of American airstrikes on Yemen on Saturday, killing scores of people.

FMC empowered to investigate international 'shipping chokepoints'

Donald Trump appears to have ‘weaponised’ the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) as part of US efforts to revitalise its shipping sector.

On Monday it was announced that the FMC would investigate seven “chokepoints” in liner shipping: the Northern Sea Passage; English Channel; Malacca Strait; Singapore Strait; Strait of Gibraltar; and the Panama and Suez canals.

French dockworkers suspend plan for “Dead Port” starting on March 18

The unions representing French dockworkers at the major industrial ports said in an effort to ease tensions with the government it would suspend its plans for a “dead port” strike planned for March 18. The unions reported that government officials had been receptive in a recent meeting, and they hoped to make progress on a simmering dispute over reforms to France’s retirement policies.

Ocean Alliance splits ANP service into two to ease Vancouver delays

Chronic bottlenecks at Canada’s Vancouver Port have seen the Ocean Alliance split its Pacific North-west 3-Asia North-west Persian Gulf (ANP) service into two routes to reduce delays.

The Middle East part of the service will be a solo Asia-Persian Gulf loop, branded APG by Evergreen, China India Middle East Express 6 (CIMEX 6) by CMA CGM, and Middle East Express 5 (MEX 5) by Cosco, and calling Shanghai-Ningbo-Kaohsiung-Shekou-Port Klang Westport-Jebel Ali-Dammam-Umm Qasr-Jebel Ali-Port Klang (Westport)-Shanghai in 49 days.

Lufthansa Cargo predicts a year of volatility, growth and space constraints

Lufthansa Cargo is predicting that the air cargo market will grow in 2025 despite market volatility fuelled by geopolitical events while capacity is expected to come under pressure.

Speaking during a webinar, Heike Woerner, senior director business development, said the Frankfurt-hubbed airline is expecting cargo demand to increase by between 3-5% this year, fuelled by expectations of 3.3% economic growth and emerging markets improvements, such as Vietnam and India, where GDP is expected to increase by 4.3%.

New study: Nation’s bridges at risk if congress allows bigger trucks

A new study released by the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks found that congressional proposals to allow heavier tractor trailers on highways would cause major damage to the nation’s local bridges if enacted into law. Updating an earlier 2023 report, the findings show the likely impact of proposed legislation to raise truck weights from the current limit of 80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds or more by evaluating local bridges off the National Highway System. Conducted in coordination with county infrastructure experts from around the country, the study uses the most current available data about the physical condition of the nation’s bridges and bridge replacement costs.

Gemini carriers cut back port calls on challenging southern India trade

Southern India’s ocean trade continues to be a challenging market for both Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, with the pair cutting back port calls.

According to industry sources, the Gemini Cooperation partners have pared down the loading space they share on a direct call at Ennore port (Chennai) for Europe trades, which began in early February.

AEGEAN and Mondial Airline Services GmbH join enhancing cargo operations in Germany

Global GSA Group is proud to announce that its subsidiary, Mondial Airline Services GmbH, has been appointed by AEGEAN as the General Sales Agent for the airline's cargo operations throughout Germany.

The agreement, signed by AEGEAN and Mondial Airline Services GmbH, became effective on February 19, 2025. Under this new partnership, Mondial Airline Services GmbH will oversee cargo sales across AEGEAN’s extensive network connecting Germany to Greece and beyond. The agreement covers 80 weekly flights from Germany to Greece, including daily connections to Athens (ATH) and Thessaloniki (SKG) from multiple German cities, with expectations of more flights during the summer season.

Yang Ming profit soars on Red Sea diversions, emerging Asia markets

The Red Sea crisis and emerging Asian markets helped Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. to strong operational performance and profitability in 2024.

The Taiwan-based ocean carrier (2609.TW) in a release said full-year consolidated revenues totaled $6.94 billion, up from $4.51 billion in 2023. Net profit after tax surged to $2 billion from $153 million.

WestJet and Virgin team up on transatlantic cargo

WestJet Cargo has signed a Block Space Agreement (BSA) with Virgin Atlantic to manage cargo sales on the UK airline's new flights from Toronto, which mark a return to the Canadian market after an absence of more than 10 years.

The new agreement will start on 31 March and will see the Canadian operator gain access to capacity on Virgin’s new flights from Toronto (YYZ) to London Heathrow (LHR).

EU will take time to respond to Trump reciprocal tariffs, Irish PM says

The European Union will take "a bit of time" before it responds to the new reciprocal tariff rates U.S. President Donald Trump plans to outline on April 2, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said on Wednesday.

The White House said on Tuesday that Trump intends for the reciprocal tariff rates to take effect on April 2, despite comments from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that indicated a possible delay in their activation.