Did You Know That…

 

…In 2025, intra-Asia trade (trade within Asian countries) is not just growing—it’s becoming one of the central engines of global trade restructuring.  Intra-Asian trade now accounts for more than half of Asia’s total trade. It is one of the largest regional trade systems in the world, rivaling EU internal trade.

Asia-Pacific is expected to generate ~34% of global trade growth (2024–2029).

…Middle East Gulf conflict disrupts project cargo and heavylift vessel sector as ships immobilised.

·The crisis in the Middle East Gulf has left at least 19 large multi-purpose and heavylift vessels engaged in project cargo shipping stranded since late February

·Disruption to long-distance networks that transport critical industrial equipment, particularly for the oil and gas sectors

Major operators, including AAL Shipping, Cosco, and HMM have vessels anchored in the region awaiting safer conditions.

 

…Hapag-Lloyd points to risk of deficit in 2026 plagued by uncertainty. Hapag-Lloyd expects US tariffs to remain in place, thus affecting imports to the States. At the same time, an oversupply of vessels is expected to drag down freight rates.

 

…We received interesting content from our friends of ROSE Containerline in the USA, sharing some material from the Rose team on the current conditions of shipping from a US perspective. The ROSE team is happy to answer any questions or connect more with members who are interested in discussing. You can contact Mr. Neal Rosenberg (ceo) at Neal@shiprose.com.

 

…The “$166B U.S. tariff refund problem”, this refers to a very unusual situation in 2026 where the U.S. government has been ordered to return an enormous amount of money—but doesn’t yet have the systems to do it. The U.S. collected about $166 billion in tariffs from ~330,000 importers between 2022–2026. These tariffs were imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). In February 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled those tariffs illegal, meaning the money must be returned. Courts then ordered the government to refund all affected importers, with interest. This is a big problem because this isn’t like issuing a single payment—it’s one of the largest administrative reversals in U.S. trade history. Scale of the task: 53 million individual import transactions must be recalculated, 330,000 companies need refunds. The refunds would require massive manual work.. Estimated at 4.4 million labor hours, if done manually.

…Rapid-charging EV batteries are on the way. They can be topped up in as little time as a tank of fuel. ALINE OF electric vehicles (EVs) plugged into rechargers as their drivers wait patiently for their batteries to be topped up has become a familiar sight at many service stations. Though some of the latest EVs can recharge in 20 minutes, many take much longer. Yet some EV drivers could soon be back on the road much more quickly. Companies are developing ultra-fast charging systems which can refill a battery almost as fast as a fossil-fuel car can be filled up. Rapid recharging could dispel one of the last remaining obstacles to widespread EV adoption

…Better when we were together..Rachel Reeves, Britain’s chancellor, said she wants closer allignment with the European Union to boost economic growth. The politics Hve changed since the Brexit referendum in 2016: Britons now clearly favour rejoining.

 

…Donald Trump said he may soon have the “honour of taking Cuba”. Millions on the island were left without power for more than 24 hours amid a worsening energy crisis.

 

…Mr. Trump said he was postponing a visit to China as a result of the war with Iran. He had been due to travel to Beijing on March 31st to meet President Xi Jinping.

 

Wishing you all a very good rest of the week !

 

…This DYKT news bulletin will be published on the website as well, go to www.eaanetwork.com.