Avrupa Depolama Hizmeti

The trade war has become multi-dimensional with many different elements all impacting shipping and the supply chain, writes maritime and JOC analyst Lars Jensen.

Industrial action by auxiliary workers in Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges is heavily disrupting operations in the regions two busiest container ports.

The automaker will spend $600 million to bring its Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois back on line while using additional funds to upgrade other facilities.

The furniture retailer’s strategy includes price hikes, supplier negotiations and diversifying its sourcing footprint beyond China.

Half of the additions will be in California as the agency further consolidates work handled by delivery units into larger facilities.

Seasonal demand is believed to fuel most of the moderate pricing gains, with the impact of a driver licensing crackdown perhaps affecting outbound lanes from Southern California.

But forwarders say the effort by liners to end a four-month decline in rates may lose steam after a week or so given generally weak market fundamentals.

China’s new port fees on non-China-made vessels that are US-flagged or owned or controlled by US companies are forcing the Gemini Cooperation partners to transship via South Korea to avoid the multimillion dollar hit.

The dip in prices comes as maritime shippers contend with U.S. fees on China-linked vessels and a ceasefire pact that could help reopen Red Sea transport.

Trade professionals and shippers say US Customs and Border Protection is pursuing trade violations with historic vigor.