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China’s National Day takes place this Thursday, commemorating the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 and marking the start of the annual Golden Week holiday.

Container carriers are restoring selected Suez Canal sailings despite renewed tensions around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, raising hopes of shorter transit times between Asia and Europe.

The ongoing Middle East conflict is increasing pressure on international freight, with commercial shipping facing heightened risk at both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Airfreight services in Indonesia are experiencing significant disruption following further eruptions from Anak Krakatau, which have spread volcanic ash across Jakarta and other parts of western Indonesia.

The latest attack on a Saudi-linked vessel has added a new dimension to security concerns in the Red Sea and could create another obstacle to the wider recovery of shipping through the Suez Canal.

Storm disruption and peak-season demand have created significant pressure across China’s container port network, with Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian and Shekou experiencing some of the most severe congestion.

The gradual return of container shipping to the Suez Canal appears to be gathering momentum, with several major carriers increasing their use of the Red Sea route despite a renewed rise in security concerns.

A succession of powerful typhoons has caused repeated disruption to shipping schedules and port operations across the Far East, with little opportunity for regional supply chains to recover between each storm.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has suspended auctions for priority transit slots and reduced the number of daily canal crossings from 36 to 34 as concerns increase over the developing El Niño weather pattern.

New EU transport rules introduced on July 1st have brought many internationally operated vans and light commercial vehicles into the scope of tachograph and drivers’ hours legislation for the first time.

The expiry of temporary US tariffs this week is set to bring another major turning point in American trade policy, just five months after the Supreme Court judgement reshaped the legal basis for President Trump’s tariff programme.

With the new UK–India Free Trade Agreement due to take effect on 15 July, attention is increasingly turning to India–UK imports amid challenging market conditions.

Ocean Freight is facing mounting pressure across major trade lanes, as port congestion, vessel delays, space constraints and equipment shortages combine to disrupt supply chains.

Following the recent increases in ocean freight rates during June, carriers have already announced further General Rate Increases (GRIs) from July 1st for shipments moving from Asia origins to the UK and Europe.

While uncertainty remains, reports of a US-Iran framework agreement and confirmation that the Strait of Hormuz is expected to reopen on Friday have already begun to influence global markets.

After several months of relatively flat demand, the ocean freight market is showing clear signs that an early peak season is emerging, particularly across key Asian trade lanes.

Major ocean freight carriers have been announcing notable rate increases ahead of the traditional Asia peak season, with revised pricing expected to come into effect from 1st June.

The legal battle surrounding President Trump’s latest tariff policy took another dramatic turn this month, adding further uncertainty to an already volatile global trade environment.

Ocean freight carriers operating on the Asia-Europe trade lanes are beginning to tighten container capacity ahead of the upcoming peak season, adopting a more assertive approach to blank sailings.

A container vessel was struck by a suspected land-attack cruise missile in the Strait of Hormuz yesterday, reportedly injuring several crew members.

As diplomatic negotiations between the US and Iran continue to make limited progress, global energy markets remain unsettled—reflected most clearly in ongoing fluctuations in oil prices.

According to several reports, two MSC containerships were seized by Iran after coming under fire while attempting to leave the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States has officially begun accepting tariff refund claims as of Monday, 20 April, marking an important step for businesses affected by these measures.

Amid ongoing but uncertain ceasefire talks, Iran’s naval forces have delivered a firm warning: any ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz without explicit authorisation “will be engaged and destroyed.”

The UK government is coming under increasing pressure from domestic retailers to fast-track plans to abolish the import duty exemption that has contributed to the rapid growth of international e-commerce giants.

We are now more than three weeks into the Middle East conflict, with tensions continuing to rise. Below is the latest overview of the impact on global logistics.

A ruling by a US court this month may have opened the door to potential tariff refunds, while 22 states have now launched a legal challenge against recently imposed duties.

With the UK’s average diesel prices reaching a 16-month high last week, fuel surcharges are now being applied to transport services across the UK with immediate effect.

The sharp escalation of military activity in the Middle East is already sending shockwaves through global logistics networks, disrupting both air and ocean freight operations within the region and beyond.

A record-breaking snowstorm brought much of the US East Coast to a halt yesterday, leading to the cancellation of thousands of flights and widespread disruption to airfreight operations.

President Trump has announced a sweeping 15 per cent tariff on global imports, capping a dramatic weekend in which his trade agenda suffered a major setback at the hands of the US Supreme Court.

The Panama Canal has begun a precautionary water release after Gatún Lake rose above its maximum operating level marking a striking turnaround for one of the world’s most important trade corridors.

The White House on Friday released its long-awaited Maritime Action Plan, which leaves more questions than answers about the future cost structure of US shipping.

Prospects for the return of container services to the Suez Canal have shifted again following the Gemini Cooperation’s latest announcement confirming the full resumption of services through the region.

Although a proposed 10% tariff on UK goods entering the US was announced and then quickly withdrawn during the Greenland dispute, uncertainty continues to cloud President Donald Trump’s wider tariff strategy.

Maersk Line has become the first major container shipping line to commit to reinstating a full service loop through the Suez Canal, following indications of improved stability in the Red Sea region.

The European Union has announced a one-year delay to the enforcement of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), allowing companies more time to get ready.

US President Trump has unveiled a a 25% tariff on goods from countries that continue to maintain commercial relations with Iran. The measure was declared “effective immediately”.

At least two Ocean Alliance members have recently begun cautiously reintroducing the Suez Canal and Red Sea into their eastbound Europe–Asia service rotations.

The legal battle over the US Supreme Court’s review of President Donald Trump’s tariffs is reaching a critical point, as observers increasingly anticipate a ruling in the near future.

The UK government has set out proposals to scrap the de minimis customs relief that currently permits low-value goods to be imported without paying duties.

It’s that time of year again, so herewith our business hours for operations and customer service during the upcoming festive season.

National strikes opposing austerity measures are expected to cause significant disruption to logistics networks across Belgium and France over the coming week.

The EU is preparing to follow the US in ending its long-standing de minimis exemption for low-value imports, a shift that could alter global e-commerce patterns.

The CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin has just become the first Ultra Large Container Vessel (ULCV) to successfully transit the Red Sea in nearly two years.

A cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Airport yesterday, killing at least seven people and igniting fires throughout a nearby industrial area.

Killick Martin have once more reached the finals of the BIFA British Freight Service Awards, this year in the Project Forwarding category.

A cargo plane skidded off the runway at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday morning, plunging into the sea and tragically killing two airport ground workers.

Strikes at two key Northern European ports have eased for now, though the risk of renewed walkouts remains.

Beijing has announced reciprocal port fees for US vessels at Chinese ports, mirroring measures introduced by the USTR.

As the US government shutdown moves into its second week, airports across the country are facing growing flight delays and cancellations caused by a worsening shortage of air traffic controllers.

The aftermath of Super Typhoon Ragasa is causing supply chain disruptions across Southern China, with delays expected to stretch beyond China’s Golden Week period.

China’s National Day is approaching, marking the official anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 1949

Ongoing changes in UK trading procedures, combined with increasing turbulence in global markets, have led BIFA to release a new edition of its Standard Trading Conditions.

Starting October 14th, the USTR 301 fees will come into force, though uncertainty remains around whether any costs will be distributed across global shipping.

President Donald Trump has asked the US Supreme Court to overturn a federal appeals court ruling that struck down a wide range of his tariffs.

Killick Martin is proud to announce that 2024 has been formally established as the baseline year for measuring our carbon footprint across Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions.

A forthcoming US court ruling, expected in late August or September, could significantly alter President Trump’s trade agenda by overturning his tariff hikes.

Asian ocean freight markets have always been prone to volatility. Before the pandemic, this turbulence followed a largely predictable rhythm, with seasonal peaks and lulls shaping supply and demand.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have pledged to escalate their attacks on merchant ships, significantly heightening the risks for vessels traveling through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal trade route.