Did You Know That..

…Why would US invade Panama? US Senate hearing gives rationale. Panama Canal route appears increasingly in jeopardy from US aggression. US Senate hearing speakers theorised that Chinese workers could collapse under-construction bridge over Panama Canal, directed by spies in Balboa and Cristobal ‘observation posts’, to block US military forces from responding to a Chinese attack in Taiwan.

…Trump trade war 2.0: What are the pros and cons for shipping?

• 25% tariff on US imports from Mexico and non-energy imports from Canada
• 10% tariff on US energy imports from Canada
• US sources 62% of its crude imports from Canada and 7% from Mexico

 
Trump’s new trade war offers some positives for ocean shipping: Disruptions generally boost spot rates and more containerised cargo could be frontloaded ahead of expected future tariffs. The negative is that tariffs will likely hurt personal and business consumption, reducing future cargo demand.
No one gains from American tariffs on cars from Mexico and Canada. Donald Trump’s levy will hit his country’s carmakers hardest.
Europe races to confront America’s trade war. Donald Trump calls the EU’s approach “an atrocity”. It will respond with retaliation and deflection. THE COUNTRIES of the European Union are divided over defence, economic policy, trade, China and much else. This does not make it easy to agree on tactics in the face of an American president who appears to be willing to use any lever of American power to get his way. On January 31st Donald Trump said he would “absolutely” impose tariffs on the EU, complaining that “They don’t take our cars, they don’t take our farm products, essentially, they don’t take almost anything.”

…Trump tariff workarounds will lessen impact of trade war escalation.

• Shippers expected to reroute cargoes to avoid tariffs
• Central America and Southeast Asia countries identified as supply chain alternatives
• China’s retaliatory tariffs to have only minor impact on transpacific liner trade

Shippers will circumvent Trump’s tariffs by seeking alternative supply chain options if US-Sino trade war intensifies. Analysts expect renewed emphasis on rerouting cargoes, as US shippers continue to import cheaper Chinese and other foreign goods.

…Xi Jinping shows how he will return American fire. China’s trade retaliation carries a warning of worse to come. Bullies are often told to pick on someone their own size. Donald Trump has just followed that advice. After America’s president threatened to start a damaging new trade war with China, Canada and Mexico, America’s two smaller neighbours looked for ways to placate him. Accused of doing too little to stem the flow of illicit drugs and migrants, they both won a month’s reprieve by promising to send more agents and troops to their borders with America. One wag suggested that China should do the same. The world’s other superpower instead flexed its economic muscles. On February 4th, shortly after America’s new 10% tariffs were added to its existing levies, China announced a variety of countermeasures against American firms.

…Abu Dhabi Ports commences Angolan multipurpose port operations. ADP has committed at least $250m to development of the new Noatum Ports Luanda Terminal. UAE operator starts business at new Luanda port facility as part of a 20-year concession at the container, general cargo and ro-ro terminal, which also includes establishment of new logistics partnership in Angola.
…Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest liner, has just launched iReefer, a container monitoring system for reefer cargo. This solution allows customers to track and monitor their temperature-controlled shipments in real time, from anywhere in the world.

…One and LX Pantos launch joint venture. Singapore-based Ocean Network Express (One) and South Korea’s LX Pantos have finalised a joint venture called Boxlinks, to enhance inland intermodal transport in the USA.
 
…Logistics to become more flexible on the Balkan. Following growing demand in the western Balkans the Austrian carrier ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) has increased the frequency of its rail shuttle between Serbia and Croatia to two round trips a week.
… Following previous edition, we are pleased to welcome new members in Argentina, Chile and Laos. You may expect more announcement with details shortly.

… The newest data from the International Air Transport Association (Iata) shows that, compared to 2023, full-year demand in 2024 increased by 11.3%. With those numbers it exceeded record volumes from 2021, according to Iata. Full-year capacity also rose by around 7%, while full-year yields were slightly lower, by 1.6%. Iata director general Willie Walsh was pleased with the increase, saying that “air cargo was the standout performer in 2024.

…Shipping giants optimise freight routes. The Gemini Cooperation, a joint venture between Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk, will commence operations on 1 February, introducing a hub-and-spoke network aimed at improving reliability and connectivity in global shipping.
 
…LVMH overtook Novo Nordisk to become Europe’s most valuable company on the stockmarket, a crown the luxurygoods company last claimed in 2023.
 
…A Dutch bicycle manufacturer reduced the amount its bikes were damaged in transport by 80% by printing a picture of a flatscreen TV on the shipping boxes.

…Cat hair clings to our clothes more than the hair of other pets because it has tiny barbs and a greater electrostatic charge.

Wishing you all a fruitful rest of the week !