Carriers continue with capacity adjustments on Asia–Europe routes. Following a turbulent week, the US–China trade war continues to intensify, meanwhile the IMO’s MEPC 83 summit is taking place in London, with global shipping decarbonisation under discussion.
US Tariffs: Trade War with China Escalates
A week after President Trump announced import taxes on all goods entering the US – the biggest upheaval of international trade in decades – the situation continues to evolve rapidly. On Wednesday, President Trump announced a 90-day pause on the higher tariffs for countries that have not imposed retaliatory measures, while the 10% baseline tariff remains in place. However, a trade war with China has escalated dramatically.
Just hours after the initial 104% US tariffs came into effect, China raised its own tariffs on American goods from 34% to 84%. This morning, China announced a further increase to 125%, matching the current US tariff on Chinese imports.
Analysts have warned that these tit-for-tat measures could disrupt global supply chains and shift container volumes as carriers react to the changing cost landscape. The escalation has sparked considerable volatility in global markets, with some predicting wider economic consequences if the situation between the two superpowers continues to deteriorate.
We will continue to monitor developments closely and keep customers informed in the weeks ahead.
IMO MEPC 83: Global Focus on Shipping Emissions
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has held its latest Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) session in London this week, with decarbonisation firmly on the agenda.
Key proposals under discussion include a global carbon levy on shipping and the introduction of marine fuel standards aimed at reducing emissions. While over 60 nations support the levy as a fair approach to decarbonisation, there is notable opposition from countries like the United States, China and Brazil, who have raised concerns over potential economic impacts. The outcome of these talks could shape new regulations set to be finalised later this year and come into force by 2027.
We’ll be monitoring the summit closely and will update customers once details are confirmed.
Sea Freight Services: Ongoing Schedule Adjustments Through April
Capacity management remains a focus for carriers this month, with blank sailings on Asia–Europe routes continuing throughout April to align supply with seasonal demand. These adjustments are resulting in some short-notice schedule changes, which may affect certain planned shipments.
Alliance service structures introduced earlier in the year continue to provide stability, with departures running as scheduled. Early indicators suggest consistent vessel arrival performance, though a full review will be carried out at the end of April to assess reliability across the board.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your shipment, please don’t hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 01376 533039 or email [email protected].
