Seven supply chain shocks in seven weeks
Just seven weeks into 2025, global supply chains have already faced a whirlwind of challenges.
From industrial action to trade barriers and shifting alliances, businesses must stay agile to navigate ongoing disruptions. Here are seven of the most impactful developments so far this year.
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Uncertainty grows as US tariffs target China
While last-minute negotiations resulted in a temporary reprieve for Canadian and Mexican imports, President Trump’s new tariffs on Chinese goods from the 4th February have already triggered retaliation, adding further pressure to international supply chains.
US tariffs on Canadian and Mexica...
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Air cargo demand defies regulatory uncertainty
In the final week of January, just before Lunar New Year, air freight spot rates continued their upward trend, rising 4% WoW and remaining 11% higher than 2024, supported by strong demand and tight capacity.
Market conditions remained resilient, with Asia-Pacific leading the growth as business...
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The risks of President Trump’s trade policies
President Donald Trump’s inauguration speech and subsequent executive orders have provided further insights into his proposed trade policies.
His emphasis on protectionism, territorial expansion, and the establishment of an “External Revenue Service” marks a significant shift in the ap...
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Container shipping braces for volatility as Red Sea routes beckon
For over a year attacks on merchant vessels by Houthi militants has forced container carriers to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope. However, a newly established ceasefire and assurances from Houthi forces to limit attacks on non-Israeli vessels signal the possibility of a return to the Suez Ca...
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Asia–Europe airfreight: Growth and vulnerabilities
Despite growth and robust demand airfreight faces significant challenges, including reliance on eCommerce, capacity pressures, and geopolitical disruptions.
Airfreight demand on the Asia–Europe route saw a strong performance in 2024, bolstered by eCommerce, automotive parts, pharmaceuticals,...
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Shipping routes likely to remain diverted until August
The diversion of container shipping around the Cape of Good Hope is expected to continue well into 2025 as carriers prioritise stability over the potential risks of returning to the Red Sea, despite recent advancements in the Suez Canal’s infrastructure
The reluctance to return to the Red Se...
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Freight market outlook 2025: Navigating uncertainty and change
The freight industry faces a challenging 2025, with ongoing diversions around Africa, potential labour strikes, and looming tariff changes shaping the air and sea freight landscape.
While best and worst-case scenarios could unfold, the most likely outcome lies somewhere in between, creating ...
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2024: Reflecting on a Dynamic Year in Global Supply Chains
As 2024 comes to an end, we look back at a year filled with extraordinary events that shaped the global supply chain landscape. From geopolitical challenges to shifts in logistics trends, the past year has underscored the importance of resilience, adaptability, and innovation in our industry.
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Preparing for Chinese New Year: Avoiding supply chain disruption in 2025
Chinese New Year (CNY) is a time of celebration across China but presents significant challenges for shippers and careful planning is essential to navigate the disruption effectively.
In 2025, the holiday officially runs from 29th January to 4th February, with its effects on production and log...
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Air freight situation and outlook for 2025
Global air freight market continues to experience robust growth, driven by eCommerce and the peak season, but faces capacity constraints due to reduced belly cargo capacity and a limited supply of wide-body freighters, particularly on key trade routes.
Demand rose 10% year on year in November,...
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The potential impact of the new US administration on global trade
As the United States, and the world, braces for potential shifts in trade policy, new tariff proposals and ongoing supply chain challenges are reshaping the global logistics landscape.
President-Elect Trump’s threatened trade tariffs, along with geopolitical and operational pressures, are dr...
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