Did You Know That…

…Mixed signals in transpacific as rates to Europe continue to slide.
· SCFI and WCI global composites fall 3% week on week, driven by lower European spot rates
· Transpacific indexes generally show rates rising at a slower pace, but there are disparities
· Spot rates still falling on Asian routes to both North Europe and Mediterranean.
Transpacific rates continue to increase, but expectation is that the rebound will be moderate and short-lived. Meanwhile, Asia-Europe rates are showing increasing weakness.
 
…Following a report from our friend Bastiaan Kraan of Jordex Group in the Netherlands, the import forecast for the westbound Asia-Europe trade lane is positive, with demand expected to grow by around 6% in 2025 due to improved European economic conditions and retailer confidence, following a shift away from sluggishness at the start of the year. However, the Red Sea diversions are still a factor, though their impact on capacity is easing as carriers return to the Suez. Key drivers include strong consumer spending, lower inflation, and potentially favorable trade agreements, which could lead to higher demand for goods from Asia. Key Factors Influencing the Forecast:
 

Strong European Consumer Demand: 
Lower inflation, reduced unemployment, and a stronger Euro are making imports from Asia more affordable for European consumers, stimulating demand. 
 

Retailer Confidence: 
Renewed confidence in the European market is leading to increased stock building by retailers, further boosting import volumes. 

Upgraded Volume Forecasts: 
Analysts have revised their annual growth forecasts for European imports to 6%, up from an earlier projection of 3.5%. 

Trade Agreements: 
Favorable tariff terms on imports into the UK and potentially the EU are making goods from Asia more competitive and stimulating demand. 

Easing of Red Sea Disruptions: 
Although Houthi attacks persist, the easing of major disruptions has allowed some services to return to the Suez Canal, potentially easing capacity pressure compared to earlier periods. 

Implications for Shippers:

Higher Demand: A surge in demand is expected, particularly in the peak shipping season. 
Potential for Rate Increases: While disruptions have eased, carriers may continue to reduce capacity on certain routes, which could lead to higher freight rates if demand holds steady. 
Capacity Management: Shippers should be prepared for potential capacity constraints as demand picks up. 
 

…Hapag-Lloyd hits 'shock-and-awe' button with new Asia-Europe GRIs. A carrier-led fightback against precipitously declining freight rates on the Asia-Europe trades was launched today with one of the Gemini Cooperation partners seeking to hike spot rates in the middle of next month.

…Super Typhoon Ragasa wreaks havoc with supply chains in East Asia.
Typhoon Ragasa makes landfall in China after 17 killed in Taiwan. Typhoon Ragasa has made landfall in southern China, where nearly two million people have been evacuated in preparation for its arrival. It comes after authorities said at least 17 people had been killed and more missing in Taiwan after a lake burst on Tuesday, causing severe flooding in the island's east. Ragasa was downgraded from a super to a severe typhoon on Wednesday but it remains highly destructive, with top winds of 241km/h (150mph) recorded in Taishan county in China's south-eastern Guangdong province. Shippers waiting for cargo out of southern China could face a significant wait, as typhoon-related delays merge into the Golden Week holiday. Factories in the global manufacturing hub would normally expect to close on 30 September for China’s 1-7 October holiday.

…Asia-Europe carriers falling short of weekly sailings quota.
· A persistent vessel shortage on the Asia-Europe trade lane has left major carriers struggling to meet weekly service commitments
· Over half a million teu of capacity still missing from scheduled loops nearly two years on from the start of the trade’s rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope.
Recent rate erosion suggests lines are in the midst of a ‘rate war, according to our source.
 
…China’s exports grew by 4.4% in August, year on year, the slowest pace by the measure since February. The value of goods sent to America plunged by 33%, but exports to South East Asia were up by 22.5% and to the EU by 10%.
 
…The price of gold rose above $ 3,500 a troy ounce for the first time, reaching $ 3,560.

…Port call data reveals China’s trade pivot as tariffs turbocharge rerouting.
· Geopolitics and tariffs are shifting global trade, with China’s direct port calls to Southeast Asia and Africa surging, while US container imports from China drop despite a rise in port calls
· Southeast Asia has seen record increases in direct calls from China — up 22% to Vietnam and even higher to other key countries — reflecting supply chain shifts, but still relies on China for materials and investment
· The outlook for global trade hinges on US-China talks and demand trends, as shifting port call patterns and supply chains add complexity and cost.
Geopolitics and tariffs are driving a surge in China’s direct port calls to emerging economies, highlighted by Southeast Asia and Africa, while US imports from China fall, signalling major shifts and new complexities in global trade flows.
 
…According to a report from our member Transolve in Australia and New Zealand, New Zealand white wines have made a serious splash in China, riding a surge in demand that pushed imports up 136% by volume in July, as shipments from France, Australia and Chile slumped. At the same time, U.S. exports of liquor and wine to Canada have plummeted by more than 60% in the first half of the year as Canadians boycott US alcohol.

Shipments of popular US-made whiskeys, rums, gins and other liquors through June to Canadian provinces was around $43.4 million, representing a 62% drop from the approximate $114 million during the same period last year.

…EU, Indonesia agree on free trade deal.  The near decade-long negotiations between the EU and Indonesia were hastened by the threat of US President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policy. The free trade deal will scrap most tariffs between the regions.

…Oman is rapidly becoming a hub for Russian shipping.
· Over 30 ships previously registered to Russian entities have moved to Oman so far this year
· Vessels previously owned by Sovcomflot, Fesco, JS Volga Shipping and Prime Shipping are now Muscat-registered
· Tightening compliance scrutiny from Dubai authorities are creating opportunities for Oman, which is growing trade ties with Russia.
As the UAE tightens up on Russian assets and companies under increased US scrutiny, Oman is rapidly becoming the more welcoming destination for sanctioned and Russian-affiliated shipping businesses.

 
…The ONE Innovation is sailing to Europe with a record-breaking container load. The vessel loaded 22,233 TEU in Singapore, the largest volume ever carried on a single container ship, according to Ocean Network Express (ONE). It is now on the FE4 service to Felixstowe, before continuing to Rotterdam.
 

…Today, we registered the hundreth participant for the 2026 EAA Network AGM in Istanbul (24-27 March). The registration is still open and we are awaiting the missing members to secure their seats for this

annual networking event.

As FS International successfully did last year, it is with great pleasure to extend a heartfelt invitation to the EAA Members to join in Shanghai for the CIIE 2025.

FS and EAA Network are eager to share the dynamic allure of the import market and explore the vast opportunities it presents. FS and the EAA Network are looking forward to a positive response and the prospect of welcoming EAA Members to this significant event. For meore information, please send a message to ms. Bella Liang (bella.gz@fssouthchina.com) or to me.

…Poland temporarily shuts China rail link. According to the news portal 'TVP World', the closure of Poland’s border with Belarus has disrupted one of the most important rail routes between China and the European Union, valued at around EUR 25 billion annually.

…Upstart Chinese carrier orders up to eight boxships amid Red Sea windfall
· Chenxin Shipping beocmes the latest Chinese carrier to use Red Sea windfall profits to transition from slot sharing/vessel chartering to fleet ownership
· The company joins other Chinese carriers capitalising on geopolitical disruptions, operating primarily in Middle East and Red Sea regions
· The orders reflect broader industry focus on feeder boxships, with orders under 3,000 teu up 70% year on year amid ageing fleets and growing regional trade.
A young Chinese carrier enriched by Red Sea trades has placed its first newbuilding orders as it pivots into shipowning.
 

…Container lines ramp up intra-Asian capacity as ‘China+1’ strategy accelerates.
· Intra-Asia capacity recorded double-digit growth in the past year
· Gemini partners are the main drivers, but Chinese carriers are also expanding aggressively
· Move comes as US tariffs force Chinese manufacturers to accelerate relocation, which is expected to continue driving trade with Southeast Asian countries.
Intra‑Asian container trades are booming as carriers led by Gemini partners and Chinese lines boost capacity, amid manufacturers’ accelerated shift out of China under escalating US tariffs.
 

…Greece's Port of Piraeus seizes record haul of fraudulently imported Chinese goods. The European Public Prosecutor's Office in Athens ordered the seizure of more than 2,400 containers at the Port of Piraeus – a record haul – packed with Chinese goods that had entered the European Union without paying customs duties or value-added tax. Six people, including two Greek customs officers, are suspected in the large-scale smuggling operation.
 

…Turkish Cargo boosts Maastricht. Maastricht Aachen airport (MST) has added three weekly freighter flights, reflecting strong cargo growth of 15% year-on-year up to July 2025. Turkish Cargo is boosting its presence with an extra Boeing 777 rotation linking Quito, Bogota, Miami, Istanbul and the Netherlands, mainly carrying perishables.
 
…APM Terminals, Maersk’s port company has opened a new large port terminal in Croatia. It is the largest private logistics investment in the country.
 
…Vietnam could lose $25 Billion Under New U.S. Tariffs, UN Warns. U.S. tariffs imposed in August risk slashing up to one-fifth of Vietnam's exports to the United States, making it the worst-hit country in Southeast Asia, according to estimates by the United Nations Development Programme. Vietnam was the world's sixth-largest exporter to America last year with $136.5 billion worth of shipped goods, U.S. trade data show. Those goods are largely produced in factories run by U.S. and foreign multinational companies or their suppliers.
 
…Rijeka Gateway welcomes first vessel.
· The terminal has a 400 metre long quay and 650,000 teu annual capacity
· Maersk’s APM Terminals and ENNA Group joint venture has invested €380m in the terminal
· After the expansion work, the terminal will have a capacity of 1m teu annually.
Rijeka Gateway has welcomed its first commercial vessel from Port Said, Egypt, after two years of construction and months of trial operations.
 
…Tailwind Expands Dolphin Express Service with New European and North African Port Calls. Tailwind Shipping Lines, the container shipping company owned by Lidl, is set to expand its Dolphin Express Service (DEX) this October. The enhanced route will transform DEX into a broader intra-European short-sea service, adding key port calls in Antwerp (Belgium), Setúbal (Portugal), Cádiz (Spain), and Casablanca (Morocco) to its existing Moerdijk–Barcelona rotation.

…CMA CGM expands into UK rail freight. CMA CGM has announced the acquisition of Freightliner UK intermodal logistics, one of Britain’s largest rail freight operators.
Acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals but is expected to conclude in early 2026.
 

…Austria introduces intermodal training. Austria is set to close a long-standing gap in logistics education with the launch of its first structured training model for intermodal transport this autumn.
 

…One week in 1977, the same six numbers were drawn almost simultaneously in the Dutch and the German national lottery.

…A parrot is as intelligent as a five-year-old child.
 

…Married men who kiss their wife in the morning have less car accidents and earn more than married men who leave the house without a kiss.

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

 
Have a good Friday and weekend ahead !