Trendwatch: 'Think again' call – China ship fee would double US export costs; Trump hikes tariffs on China by 10%; Port Houston sees biggest January on record

'Think again' call – China ship fee would double US export costs

US exporters are facing a doubling of costs should the Trump administration proceed with plans to impose a $1.5m fee per port entry by Chinese built vessels.

After an investigation concluded China’s maritime supply chain received unfair state support, US trade representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer proposed the fees for China-built ships calling at US ports, irrespective of the flag they sail under or operator’s nationality.

Trump hikes tariffs on China by 10%

President Donald Trump increased tariffs on imports from China by an additional 10% on Monday while reiterating 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico will go into effect Tuesday.

The president amended an executive order he signed last month implementing a 10% tariff hike on China, upping the ordered rate to 20%.

Port Houston sees biggest January on record

Port Houston kicked off the year handling 356,407 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in January, reflecting a 7% increase compared to the same month last year. This represents the biggest January on record for containerized cargo at Port Houston.

East Asia imports soared, in preparation for lunar new year sales. Asia imports represent 56% of total container imports for Port Houston facilities, based on YTD November 2024 data. This January, loaded imports rose by 10% compared to the same month last year, while loaded exports declined by 1%.

Turkish Cargo has been recognized as the “Fastest-Growing International Cargo Airline of the Year” by STAT Trade Times

Turkish Cargo has been honored with the “Fastest-Growing International Cargo Airline of the Year” award by STAT Trade Times for its outstanding performance in the air cargo industry. The award was presented at the 'Air Cargo Africa' exhibition and conference, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from February 19 to 21, 2025.

Op-Ed: China is on Track for a Major Recession

The risk of China spiralling into an unprecedentedly prolonged recession is increasing.

Its economy is experiencing deflation, with the price level falling for a second consecutive year in 2024, according to recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China. It’s on track for the longest period of economy-wide price declines since the 1960s.

Biofuels transparency and quality concerns highlighted

Lloyd’s Register’s latest Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) urges caution on the quality of biofuels and expresses continuing concern on high bunker sediment levels, failings in sulphur compliance, and flash point irregularities.

Covering the second half of 2024, the FOBAS report notes a significant increase in demand for biofuels which perform well in today’s tightening bunker fuel environment. Not only do they contain low quantities of sulphur, but they can also notch up significant compliance surpluses under the FuelEU Maritime’s well-to-wake carbon emissions framework. They are likely to prove increasingly popular when the Mediterranean Sulphur Emissions Control Area (SECA) enters force in less than two months’ time at the beginning of May.

Trade constraints trouble African air cargo market

Africa’s air cargo market is still constrained by trade barriers and challenges as well as geopolitical conflict, but there are positive changes happening, stressed industry leaders at Air Cargo Africa in Nairobi.

Racheal Ndegw, chief executive of Swissport Kenya, said that fragmentation is hampering the economies of countries on the continent during the ‘How African air cargo could be set to soar’ conference session.

Hyderabad airport handles 1.8 lakh metric tons cargo in CY 2024

GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd. achieved significant growth in cargo operations in CY 2024, handling 180,914 metric tonnes of cargo. This represents a 22% increase in cargo growth compared to CY'23.

The airport's cargo volume comprised 108,520 metric tonnes of international cargo, which saw a 36% surge, and 72,395 metric tonnes of domestic cargo, which grew by 5%. Hyderabad Airport's pharmaceutical cargo handling continued to be a significant contributor, with the airport remaining a leading hub for handling high-value pharma cargo in India.