Trendwatch: USTR weighs extending pause on China-linked vessel fees to January; Canada port reaches new longshore union labor deal; Container lines facing unavoidable tonnage tsunami

USTR weighs extending pause on China-linked vessel fees to January

The Office of the United States Trade Representative is proposing to extend its suspension on Section 301 fees on China-linked vessels until Jan. 9, 2027, according to an Oct. 23 Federal Register filing. The suspension is currently set to lift on Nov. 9.

The proposed extension would “allow for further negotiation with China regarding the acts, policies, and practices at issue in this investigation,” per the federal filing. Comments are being fielded from the public, which are due on Oct. 30.

Canada port reaches new longshore union labor deal

Port employers and the International Longshoremen’s Association have reached a tentative labor agreement running through 2028, offering customers of the Canadian Atlantic gateway the prospect of a more predictable operating environment if the settlement is ratified.

The proposed agreement would succeed the port’s previous collective contract, which covered Jan. 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2025. That agreement was ratified in June 2023, more than a year after its effective date.

Container lines facing unavoidable tonnage tsunami

The ability of container lines to manage capacity will be severely tested as supply side growth is set to increase by 8.8%, 12.1% and 10% for the next three years, according to Drewry.

Speaking on Drewry’s Container Market Outlook, Simon Heaney, senior manager at Drewry Container Research said the forecast for growth over the coming years is net of scrapping, delivery delays and other tactics to minimise capacity growth.

US, Canada working on deal to ease steel, auto tariffs, sources say

The United States and Canada are working on a deal to ease US tariffs on Canadian steel and autos, two US and four Canadian sources said, as the two governments try to repair relations that soured after trade talks broke down in August.

The talks focus on tariffs imposed under Section 232 of US trade law, including up to 50% tariff on Canadian steel and a 25% tariff on autos, with negotiators discussing potential relief from those duties.

Airbus A350F challenges Boeing's grip on large freighter market

The commercial aviation sector is witnessing a significant shift as the Airbus A350F makes formidable strides into the heavy freight sector, a domain historically dominated by its American rival, Boeing. Backed by robust order books and impressive technical specifications, the new European widebody freighter is rapidly emerging as a compelling alternative for global cargo operators seeking long-term operational efficiency.

China’s ports handle 275 million TEUs as trade volumes rise

China’s ports handled 275.02 million TEUs between January and September 2026, up 4.5 per cent year-on-year, while foreign trade cargo volumes increased 2.9 per cent.

Figures published by the Ministry of Transport on 26 October show coastal ports processed 242.46 million TEUs, an increase of 4.7 per cent. Inland river ports handled 32.56 million TEUs, up 3.2 per cent.

Seafarer happiness slips as crews camaraderie props up failing shore-side support

Seafarer happiness has fallen for a third consecutive quarter, according to the latest Seafarers Happiness Index (SHI), published by The Mission to Seafarers with Inmarsat and Idwal. The Q3 2026 score of 6.81/10 is down from 6.87 in Q2 and 7.26 at the end of 2025.

Six of the ten measures fell. Those linked to life aboard improved, while those that depend on the ship–shore interface – connectivity, shore leave, wages and welfare ashore - all deteriorated.

America Cargo GSA markets TAP Air Portugal’s first direct Orlando flight

ECS Group subsidiary America Cargo GSA has already begun actively promoting cargo capacity on the first-ever nonstop Orlando-Lisbon service, due to launch on 29 October 2026. TAP Air Portugal will then connect central Florida with its Portuguese gateway in under 8 hours, far quicker than any existing alternatives on the market. An Airbus A330 is scheduled to depart every Monday, Thursday and Saturday evening, offering U.S.-based freight forwarders between 45 and 60 tons of weekly cargo uplift.