Radiant's Freight Market Update

This week: Ammonia ship-to-ship transfer trial a success; Changes to the de minimus rule may impact global e-commerce.

Current Critical Industry Trends

Last week, 33,000 Boeing employees went on strike. Boeing has paused hiring and is considering measurable steps to conserve cash and safeguard the company's future.

As the Oct.1 deadline approaches, East and Gulf ports are preparing for strike action. These U.S. ports are linked to trade lanes representing over 16% of worldwide TEU-miles. Analysts report that “…a strike would be cataclysmic for maritime supply chains worldwide.”

Ocean

Ammonia ship-to-ship transfer trial a success. Pilbara Port and Australian Government agencies oversaw the operation, ensuring strict safety protocols were followed. This marks another step forward in the use of ammonia as a green marine fuel.

Liners announced schedules for main east-west trades starting February 2025. MSC expands fleet and is on track to hit 7m slots by 2026. Expectations are for an increase in MSC’s standalone service and slot sharing agreements.

Ports

The U.S. Trade Representative exempted Chinese-made cranes from a 25% tariff, saving U.S. ports over $130 million. This applies to cranes ordered before May 2024 and delivered by May 2026, preventing financial strain on ports with tight budgets. AAPA is advocating for domestic crane manufacturing to modernize U.S. ports long-term.

Alternative to Antwerp’s planned Second Tidal Dock has been suggested by Katoen Nati. The plan provides space for an additional 7m TEU on top of the current annual capacity of 15m TEU and saves both time and money.

Trucking

Chinese company is pursuing the heavy-duty electric vehicle market. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd.(CATL) has unveiled new technology for heavy-duty vehicles and ships. The company is focusing on expanding in Europe, as the European Union aims to reduce heavy-duty vehicle emissions by 45% by 2030.

Rail

An open telematics platform introduced in North America. The system uses GPS and sensors to provide real-time data on wagon location and condition. This innovation is set to significantly boost rail network efficiency and transform supply chain management.

Air

Air Canada pilot strike averted. A tentative four-year agreement has been reached with the Air Line Pilots Association. The agreement still needs to be ratified by union members and is expected to be finalized over the next few weeks.

Changes to the de minimus rule may impact global e-commerce. New requirements would include specific additional data for de minimus shipments, such as the person claiming the exemption and the 10-digit tariff classification number.

International

Changes to the de minimus rule may impact global e-commerce. New requirements would include specific additional data for de minimus shipments, such as the person claiming the exemption and the 10-digit tariff classification number.

Other

Teams working on a geological survey find lost ship off Scotland coast.The WWII cargo ship was located during geotechnical investigations for a floating wind farm. Identified as the Tobol, the merchant ship was torpedoed in 1917.

Cargo handler diverts old uniforms from landfill. Hactl utilizes melt-granulation and other technologies to manufacture recycled plastic cups from old uniforms. Furthermore, the cups can be recycled again, which aligns with Hactl’s Green Terminal program.




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The Radiant Network's supply chain and logistics updates provide valuable insights on freight trends, customs regulations, global news, economics, tech, and more. The Radiant Network includes the brands Radiant World Trade Services, Radiant Global Logistics, Radiant Canada, Radiant Road & Rail, Adcom, Airgroup, SBA, and Distribution By Air.

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Radiant World Trade Services is a part of Radiant Logistics, Inc. (NYSE American: RLGT), a publicly traded third-party logistics company that provides technology-enabled global transportation and value-added logistics solutions to a diverse account base. They offer comprehensive services including freight forwarding, truck and rail brokerage, warehouse and distribution, customs brokerage, order fulfillment, inventory management, and technology services. Radiant has an extensive network of offices throughout North America and other key markets worldwide.