Trendwatch: US to begin furniture, wood import tariffs on Oct. 14; MSC Reaffirms Commitment to Avoid Northern Sea Route; China prepares retaliation playbook ahead of US port fee deadline

US to begin furniture, wood import tariffs on Oct. 14

The U.S. will implement new tariffs on wood imports as well as derivative products such as upholstered furniture and kitchen cabinets beginning Oct. 14, per an executive order signed by President Donald Trump Monday.

Imports of softwood timber and lumber will face a 10% tariff rate, while upholstered wooden products, including couches, sofas and chairs, will incur a 25% duty. Kitchen cabinets and vanities, as well as parts used in manufacturing those products, will also be subject to a 25% levy, per the order.

MSC reaffirms commitment to avoid Northern Sea route

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company released a statement September 29, reaffirming its commitment to avoid the Northern Sea Route from Asia to Europe. 

This reiterates the strategy of most of the major European carriers in contrast to Sea Legend Shipping, a Chinese carrier, which has launched the China-Europe Arctic Express (CAX) service. Backed by Safetrans Shipping and Haijie Shipping, the service currently deploys a single 4,900 TEU vessel, according to Breakbulk News.

China prepares retaliation playbook ahead of US port fee deadline

China is taking preemptive action against the US’s plans to hike port fees for China-linked tonnage. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang signed a State Council decree over the weekend which states that China will take necessary countermeasures against countries or regions that impose or support discriminatory bans, restrictions, or similar measures targeting Chinese operators, vessels, or crew engaged in international maritime transport and related services.

Lufthansa to cut 4,000 jobs, raises profitability targets

Lufthansa will cut 4,000 administrative jobs by 2030 and set higher profitability targets, the German airline group said on Monday, as it seeks to boost efficiency through digitalisation and automation. 

Shares in the company rose on the announcement, jumping 2% in early trade. By 1156 GMT they were up 1.3% at 7.85 euros.

Dutch cargo ship on fire and abandoned after Houthi missile attack

In what appears to be the first attack by the Houthi militants on a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden in nearly 14 months, a Dutch cargo ship has been heavily damaged, forcing the crew to abandon ship after an apparent missile strike. The French Navy dispatched a warship, with the ship’s operator Spliethoff reporting that two seafarers sustained injuries.

Port of Vancouver enables record trade in first half of 2025

The Port of Vancouver moved record volumes of Canadian trade in the first six months of 2025, delivering vast quantities of made-in-Canada grain, energy and fertilizer exports to diverse world markets against a challenging geopolitical backdrop.

The port’s mid-year cargo statistics show a 13% increase in cargo moved between January and June 2025, compared to the same six-month period last year—with a record of more than 85 million metric tons (MMT) of cargo handled. Port of Vancouver terminals handled nearly 20% more international trade than a year ago, as surging exports of Canadian crude, canola oil, grain, potash and coal to markets worldwide. Containerized trade over the first half of 2025 remained steady, while cruise and auto volumes eased following record performances in 2024.

Panama Canal revamps transit booking system to boost transit certainty and flexibility

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced significant modifications to its Transit Reservation System on Monday, with the unveiling of its next generation Long-Term Slot Allocation (LoTSA) program. The enhanced system, known as LoTSA 2.0, aims to provide “greater certainty, flexibility and value” for canal users while responding to evolving market demands.

STB proposes schedule for review of UP-NS merger

The Surface Transportation Board today proposed a procedural schedule it will follow as part of its review of Union Pacific’s $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern.

The schedule the board is proposing slightly tweaks the schedule that UP and NS outlined in July.

ZIM’s Colorado diverts to Busan after fire contained

The 5,504 TEU containership Colorado, operated by ZIM Integrated Shipping (ZIM) on its Transpacific ZX2 service, experienced a fire while sailing from Yantian, China, to Los Angeles.

According to the latest reports, the fire occurred on 26 September, was successfully contained, and no casualties were reported.

How the U.S. Government shutdown is affecting ports, transportation, and supply chain operations across the country

The U.S. government has officially shut down after Congress failed to agree on a funding bill, triggering furloughs for hundreds of thousands of federal employees and requiring many others to work without pay. For the logistics and supply chain industry, the consequences are already emerging.

Ports and Customs

Customs and Border Protection officers remain on duty, but thousands of support staff are furloughed. That means cargo continues moving through ports and airports, yet documentation and inspections are expected to slow. During the 2018–2019 shutdown, shipment dwell times at the Port of Los Angeles-Long Beach rose by 15 to 20 percent. Importers of perishables and pharmaceuticals face particular risk if staff shortages stretch clearance times.

Ports from Seattle to New York have pledged to remain operational, but officials warn that unpaid federal staff and processing delays could create ripple effects.