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Sunday, November 16, 2025

Cargo News

14 Nov 2025

CMA CGM’s Shipping Engine Holds Course in a Volatile Q3

Copyright VanderWolf Images/AdobeStock

CMA CGM closed the third quarter of 2025 with a mixed scorecard that underlines how volatile geopolitics continue to reshape global liner networks. Group results fell year-on-year, but the core shipping arm lifted liftings and stabilized sequentially, a sign that network agility and cost discipline are cushioning the shocks.Volumes Up; Pricing and Margins DownCMA CGM transported 6.17 million TEU in Q3, +2.3% year-on-year and +3.4% versus Q2, despite a stop-start environment on the China–U.S. trades and ongoing Red Sea/Gulf of Aden diversions.

14 Nov 2025

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Delivers Vessel KEYAKI

Image courtesy Mitsubishi Shipbuilding

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding delivered the large car ferry KEYAKI, built for Shin Nihonkai Ferry Co., Ltd. and Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency (JRTT), at the Enoura Plant of MHI's Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture on the November 11, 2025. The new ferry will serve on a shipping route between the cities of Otaru in Hokkaido and Maizuru in Kyoto Prefecture.KEYAKI is the first ferry in Japan to adopt the latest energy-saving hull form, including a Katana Bow and buttock-flow stern hull with ducktail.

13 Nov 2025

Acquisition Consolidates Europe Shortsea Vessel Sector

Image courtesy Viasea

Ellerman City Liners, part of GB Global, has acquired Viasea Shipping from Norway’s ColliCare Holding AS, a move that strengthens Ellerman’s position in the European shortsea shipping market and deepens its commitment to sustainable logistics solutions.Founded in 2016, Viasea has grown rapidly as a challenger brand in Northern Europe’s shortsea sector, operating scheduled services between the UK, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, and Lithuania. With offices across key logistics hubs including Moss…

13 Nov 2025

Iron Ore Imports Spike 7% in China

Chart courtesy BIMCO

“Iron ore shipments to China have risen 7% y/y since the end of June, following a stable period during the first half of the year. However, Chinese steel production has remained weak, leading to a build-up of portside inventories which reached an eight-month high in week 45,” says Filipe Gouveia, Shipping Analysis Manager at BIMCO.The recent uptick in Chinese purchasing appears to be driven by expectations of increased public spending and a rebound in manufacturing activity, as indicated by China’s Caixin PMI.

11 Nov 2025

Upgraded Koala Service Boosts Australia - Asia Link

Source: ICTSI

Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT), Australia’s fully automated container terminal operated by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), recently enhanced maritime connection to Asian markets through a revamped Koala service.The service, operated by MSC, made its inaugural call at VICT on October 4, linking the Port of Melbourne directly with major ports in China and Indonesia.Fixed weekly route will offer increased flexibility to supply chains serving…

11 Nov 2025

Australian Authorities Seize Cocaine from Shipping Container

Source: ABF

The Australian Border Force (ABF) and Australian Federal Police (AFP) have seized almost 65kg of cocaine potentially worth more than A$21 million ($14 million) from a shipping container in Brisbane.The consignment came from Panama and was declared as 20 packages containing 2380 wooden slats.Officers x-rayed the shipping container and noticed anomalies within its flooring that turned out to be 108 bricks of a white substance wrapped in black plastic.ABF detector dogs attended and provided a positive indication of narcotics within the consignment.

11 Nov 2025

Container Freight Rates Could Plunge with End of Houthi Attacks

© Maritime Art Blog / Adobe Stock

Houthi militia have reportedly ceased attacks on Israel and shipping in the Red Sea, and the impact could be seismic for global ocean container shipping, warns Chief Analyst Peter Sand at Xeneta. However, an immediate largescale return to the region will require a series of further assurances.“Details are sketchy, and you cannot base the safety of crews, ships and cargo on the word of Houthi militia. Carriers need far more assurance than that and, perhaps more importantly, so do insurance companies…

11 Nov 2025

SFL Posts Steady Q3, Invests in Fleet Optimization

SFL Computer Screenshot | Greg Trauthwein

SFL posts Q3 2025 revenue of $178 million and net income of $8.6 million; declares 87th consecutive quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share.Contracted charter backlog reaches $4 billion with a weighted average term of 6.5 years, two-thirds backed by investment-grade clients.Fleet optimization and $100 million in vessel efficiency and LNG dual-fuel investments underscore SFL’s long-term sustainability strategy.SFL Corporation Ltd. reported third-quarter 2025 operating revenues of $178 million and net income of $8.6 million…

10 Nov 2025

October U.S. Container Imports Flatten

Source: Descartes

Descartes Systems Group has released its November Global Shipping Report highlighting that U.S. container imports were essentially flat in October as year-to-date volumes continue to decrease.The 2,306,687 TEU of imports was down a slight 0.1% from September and 7.5% lower than October 2024. After volume declines in August and September, imports from China were up 5.4% over September but down 16.3% year-over-year.Compared to September, port transit time delays increased modestly in October across most top U.S.

07 Nov 2025

LNG Canada Starts Up Kitimat Train 2

Source: LNG Canada

LNG Canada has started production of liquefied natural gas at the second of its two processing units, known as Train 2, the company said.Both trains at the Shell-led project in Kitimat, British Columbia - each with a capacity of 6.5 million metric tons per annum - are now operational, a spokesperson told Reuters.LNG Canada is the first major LNG export facility in Canada and the first on the west coast of North America that provides direct access to Asia, the world's largest market for the liquid fuel.

06 Nov 2025

Trade Deal Props U.S. Soya Shipments on Vessels to China

“Following US-China trade negotiations, China has committed to resume imports of US soya beans. The country has agreed to purchase 12m tonnes during the rest of 2025 and 25m tonnes per year during the next three years, similar to 2024 volumes. If these commitments are met, US soya bean shipments are expected to surge in the short term before stabilizing in the medium term,” says Filipe Gouveia, Shipping Analysis Manager at BIMCO.The agreement is expected to be positive for the dry bulk market and the US and Chinese economies.

05 Nov 2025

Algoma Central Fleet Hits the 100-Vessel Mark, Records Strong Q3

Copyright Reimar/AdobeStock

St. Catharines, Ontario–based Algoma Central Corporation (TSX: ALC) reported a solid third quarter for 2025, marked by fleet milestones, steady revenue growth across segments, and ongoing investment in next-generation vessels.For the quarter ended September 30, Algoma posted revenue of C$228 million, up from C$205 million a year earlier, and EBITDA of C$89.7 million, a 19% increase year-over-year. Net earnings came in at C$39.4 million or C$0.97 per share, essentially flat compared to Q3 2024.“This quarter marked a milestone for Algoma with the delivery of the Algoma Legacy…

04 Nov 2025

CMA CGM to Register 10 Vessels Under French Flag Following Scrutiny at Home

© Mariusz - stock.adobe.com

CMA CGM will register 10 container vessels to be delivered in the next three years under the French flag, adding more seafarers from its home country after facing calls to contribute more to France's debt-stricken economy.CMA CGM, the world's third-largest container shipping line, will recruit 135 French seafarers at an additional cost of 15 million to 17 million euros ($17.49 million-$19.83 million) per year compared with foreign flag registrations, it said on Tuesday.While a small investment compared with the $2 billion construction cost of the ships…

04 Nov 2025

US Sets Global LNG Export Record

© moofushi / Adobe Stock

The U.S. has become the first country to export 10 million metric tonnes (mmt) of liquefied natural gas in a single month, according to preliminary data from financial firm LSEG.The U.S. exported a record 10.1 mmt of the liquid fuel in October, up from a revised figure of 9.1 mmt in September, LSEG data showed.Already the world's largest LNG exporter, the U.S. has been ramping up sales with four record-setting months in 2025. The surge was led by the start-up of Venture Global's Plaquemines export plant and the ramp-up of Cheniere's Corpus Christi Stage 3 project…

02 Nov 2025

Millions of Cigarettes Seized in Multi-Nation Operation

© Australian Border Force

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) led a large-scale joint customs operation, NOXIA II, successfully targeting shipments suspected of containing illicit cigarettes, waste, drug precursors, and pesticides.The operation led to the coordinated seizure by the participating customs authorities of 149.5 million cigarettes, over 3,000 tonnes of illicit waste, 66.5 kg of pseudoephedrine, 52 tonnes of solid pesticides, and 21,000 liters of liquid pesticides.NOXIA II revealed the use of sophisticated global routes to smuggle cigarettes into the Asia-Pacific region and Europe.

30 Oct 2025

Port Houston Surpasses Three Million TEUs

Source: Port Houston

Port Houston crossed the three million TEU mark in September, reaching 3,270,595 TEUs year-to-date, the fastest pace in Port Houston’s history. Total container volumes are up 5% year-to-date compared to last year.“Three million TEUs and counting; this is the earliest we’ve ever reached that mark,” said Charlie Jenkins, CEO of Port Houston.For the month of September, Port Houston handled 337,659 TEUs, a 2% increase from the same month in 2024. Loaded exports continued to rise, up 13% for the month and 7% year-to-date, driven by Houston’s strong resin and manufactured goods.

30 Oct 2025

Cargo Sailboat Finishes First Transatlantic Voyage

© Adobe Stock/Sam

The Neoliner Origin, the world's largest cargo sailboat, completed its maiden transatlantic voyage on Thursday (October 30) despite sustaining damage to its aft sail during the crossing, forcing the crew to rely partially on its motor and remaining intact sail.The 136-meter-long (446 feet) vessel, equipped with two semi-rigid sails, first stopped in Saint Pierre and Miquelon, a French overseas territory near Canada, before continuing to Baltimore.The aft sail was damaged in a storm shortly after departure…

30 Oct 2025

Trump, Xi Pause Port Fees on Each Other's Vessels

© Adobe Stock/monvideo

The U.S. and China agreed on Thursday to pause tit-for-tat fees on each other's ships that became a major irritant in the broader trade war between the world's two largest economies and pushed up ocean freight costs.The move provides a 12-month reprieve on an estimated $3.2 billion annually in fees for large Chinese-built vessels sailing to U.S. ports and was among the trade deals reached in South Korea by U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.Early this year…

30 Oct 2025

Dry Bulk Vessel Market Softens as Coal Shipments Decline

"We estimate that the dry bulk supply/demand balance will strengthen slightly in 2025 and gradually weaken in 2026 and 2027. Cargo demand growth is slowing, as coal shipments decline and iron ore shipments stagnate,” says Filipe Gouveia, Shipping Analysis Manager at BIMCO.Coal shipments are forecast to decline 4.9% between 2025 and 2027. Demand is falling as electricity generation from renewable sources continues to expand, particularly in China, Europe and India. Furthermore…

27 Oct 2025

US Importers Place Spring Orders Early Amidst Tariffs Anxiety

© Adobe Stock/Travel man

Small importers for large U.S. retailers rushed in China-made strollers and wares meant for spring and are storing the goods in their own warehouses to avoid the big tariff bills that had been threatened over the next month.Before Sino-American talks on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur eliminated the threat of U.S. President Donald Trump's 100% tariffs on Chinese imports starting November 1, importers were expecting to shoulder the staggering levies.In response…

23 Oct 2025

Capesize Values Hit 17-Year High

© Veson Nautical

Global trade flows have adjusted to new geopolitical developments last week, with Red Sea diversions maintaining their grip on vessel demand patterns. Against this backdrop, timecharter earnings hit their highest levels since October 2024, with Capesize rates leading the rally while smaller segments lagged behind. The S&P market saw continued interest in modern tonnage as owners position for tightening supply fundamentals. Values for 5YO Capesizes of 180,000 DWT have rallied impressively this year…

20 Oct 2025

September U.S. Container Imports Contract Amid Tariff Uncertainty

© Descartes Systems Group

Descartes has released its September Global Shipping Report, which analyzes the latest economic and logistics trends shaping U.S. imports and global trade.According to data from Descartes’ global trade intelligence platform, Descartes Datamyne:U.S. container imports declined 8.4% from August, reaching over 2.3M TEUs in September – representing the third-highest September on record. Its volumes are 1.9% ahead of the same period in 2024, demonstrating resilience in demand despite trade uncertainty.Imports from China fell 12.3% month-over-month and 22.9% year-over-year.

14 Oct 2025

Trade Group Wants Ban on Export of Scrap Aluminum Cans to China

© RobertCoy / Adobe Stock

A trade group representing the aluminum industry called on Tuesday for a ban on U.S. exports of used beverage cans to China to support American production of cars, fighter jets, tanks and satellites.The Aluminum Association said the United States consumes between 5 million to 6 million metric tons of aluminum scrap annually while exporting more than 2 million tons. The group called for an immediate ban on used beverage container exports outside of North America on national security grounds, saying much of U.S.