Trendwatch: Trump again backs longshore union as possible port strike nears; Growing demand could see shippers’ air cargo spend rise in 2025; Carriers unveil Panama Canal transit surcharges for new year

Trump again backs longshore union as possible port strike nears

President-elect Donald Trump over the weekend doubled down on his opposition to automation as a possible strike by union dockworkers at East and Gulf Coast container ports draws closer.

On Saturday, Trump reposted to more than 8 million followers on his social media platform, Truth Social, a Facebook message by Dennis Daggett, International Longshoremen’s Association executive vice president, praising Trump for his support of the union in its protracted contract fight with employers at Eastern Seaboard and Gulf Coast container ports.

Growing demand could see shippers’ air cargo spend rise in 2025

Growing air cargo demand driven by e-commerce and semiconductor volumes is expected to result in another tight air cargo market in 2025 with shippers facing the prospect of their transport spend rising further.

In an air cargo market outlook report, Xeneta chief airfreight officers Niall van de Vouw and airfreight analyst Wenwen Zhang predict that air cargo demand will rise by 4-6% next year while capacity will increase by 3-4%.

Fitch upgrades container shipping outlook – but not because of containers

A major ratings firm is improving its outlook for global container shipping — but the improvement has less to do with boxes than it does with other commodities.

Fitch Ratings over the weekend changed its outlook for global container shipping to “stable” from “deteriorating,” as a downward trajectory is partly offset by stable to improving performance in subsectors including tankers and bulk shipping.

Houston’s volumes surge to best month of year

Port Houston is on track to close 2024 as one of its most successful years to date, handling 3,799,573 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) through November—a 9% increase over the same period last year. November volumes alone reached 369,361 TEUs, a notable 24% increase year-over-year. This marks the biggest month of the year for Port Houston in terms of containerized cargo volume.

Loaded imports rose by 19% in November, driven by consumer goods and machinery, and loaded exports were up 16% the same month, reinforced by robust resin shipments. Resins account for 45% of the Port's export volumes, underscoring Houston’s role as the nation’s top gateway for this essential commodity.

Europe unprepared for mega container ship casualty

As result a of the lack shallow draught heavy lift equipment to deal with a grounding event any port blockage could last far longer than the four months that Dali blocked Baltimore for example.

Dali lost electrical power exiting Baltimore port colliding with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed, blocking access to the port for nearly four months, considered to be a rapid recovery time for such a major incident. A 1,000 tonne crane deployed was instrumental in making this salvage possible at speed.

Hamburg terminals opt for Steelpaint crane protection

German container terminals are applying Steelpaint’s new corrosion protection system, Stelcatec, to repair existing paintwork on ZPMC ship-to-shore cranes, following the Chinese manufacturer’s seal of approval in 2023.

Stelcatec the world’s first low-VOC, isocyanate-free polyurethane coating system, is being used to repair damaged original coatings on ZPMC cranes operated at container terminals in Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven.

ONE and HMM set out Transatlantic plans

The Premier Alliance of ONE, HMM and Yang Ming Line set to launch next year following Hapag-Lloyd’s exit to the Gemini Cooperation with Maersk is not planning to cover the Transatlantic leaving its members to find alternative ways to cover this trade.

Singapore-headquartered ONE is joining with Ocean Alliance members CMA CGM, Cosco Shipping Lines, Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), and Evergreen Marine for three North Europe Transatlantic services from February 2025 as part of a vessel sharing arrangement.