Trendwatch: Tighter EU import requirements proving 'a challenge' for forwarders; Shipowners Adjusting Contracts for U.S. Tax on China Vessels; IATA: Air cargo demand registers slight decline in February

Tighter EU import requirements proving 'a challenge' for forwarders

“Stricter Customs regulations” from the EU’s ICS2 will see “stricter enforcement”, Hapag-Lloyd has warned, and European forwarders “have encountered significant challenges”.  

From tomorrow, 1 April, the EU is ramping-up its Import Control System 2 (ICS2) – an advance cargo information system designed to improve supply chain security – on requirements for all non-EU imports.

Shipowners Adjusting Contracts for U.S. Tax on China Vessels

Shipowners and charterers are altering leasing contracts to cope with the multi-million dollar port fees expected to be imposed on Chinese-built vessels by the Trump administration, according to people familiar with the matter.

The contours of Washington’s plan to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry are unclear, and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has yet to make concrete proposals on expected measures, including levies. Still, the sector is already preparing for imminent additional risk, with new clauses that state companies hiring Chinese ships will bear the cost of any taxes in part or in full, the people said. They asked not to be identified as the discussions are not public.

IATA: Air cargo demand registers slight decline in February

Air cargo registered its first year-on-year decline in February since March 2023 as a result of “extraordinary” growth a year ago.

The latest supply and demand statistics from IATA show that air cargo demand decreased by 0.1% in cargo tonne km (CTK) terms in February.

What’s in Trump’s April 1 trade reports ahead of US reciprocal tariffs

President Donald Trump's hotly anticipated reciprocal tariff announcement on Wednesday will be based in part on consolidated reports due on Tuesday from his trade, Commerce and Treasury chiefs to thoroughly review U.S. trade policy.

Trump has dubbed April 2 as "Liberation Day" for the U.S. economy from what he considers to be the unfair practices of trading partners. He has already acted on some of the assessments ordered in his January 20 trade memorandum, which is a roadmap for his second term trade policies.

Maersk not concerned by Trump hostility to green fuels for ships

Maersk’s environmental agenda will be driven by customers over administrations, amid the increasing uncertainty surrounding government commitments, particularly the US Trump administration, to green policies.

At an event marking the launch of Maersk’s latest dual-fuel vessel, Adrian Maersk, chief commercial officer Karsten Kildahl said: “We are not so concerned by what an administration says, rather we have made our focus the concerns of our customers.”

Yang Ming Orders Three 8,000 TEU Methanol-Ready Containerships

Taiwanese container shipping company Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation has placed an order for three 8,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel-ready containerships with Shoei Kisen Kaisha as part of a recently revealed fleet expansion strategy.

The vessels, to be constructed by Imabari Shipbuilding in Japan, are scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2029.

Low water hampers Rhine river shipping in Germany

Low water levels after recent dry weather are preventing cargo vessels from sailing fully loaded on the Rhine river in Germany with surcharges added to the usual freight rates, commodity traders said on Tuesday.

Low water is hampering shipping on all of the river south of Duisburg and Cologne, including the chokepoint of Kaub, traders said.

Weather impacts February volumes at Port Houston cargo rebound in March

Fog impacted many ports throughout the southern United States in February, including Port Houston’s public terminals. Total tonnage at Port Houston terminals is down 5% year-to-date through February. Despite this, general cargo is up 9% year-to-date, showing strong lumber and plywood volumes, in particular. Steel imports declined 13% year-over-year in February, though year-to-date volumes remain 1% higher than the same period last year.