Reading the freight market.
Notes on ocean rates, port disruptions, tariffs and demand — the things that actually move your landed cost.
- July 1, 2026
CPSC eFiling Becomes Mandatory on July 8, 2026
From July 8, 2026, importers of CPSC-regulated products must transmit Certificate of Compliance data electronically in ACE at the time of entry. Here's what shippers on China–US lanes should prepare.
Read → - June 30, 2026
Why Transpacific Rates Are Surging into Peak Season 2026
Asia–US spot rates have climbed sharply through June — West Coast rates are up roughly 120% since mid-May. Here's what's driving the surge and what it means for your bookings.
Read → - June 9, 2026
Section 232 Expanded: New Steel & Aluminum Derivatives from June 8, 2026
Proclamation 11032 pulls four more derivative product lines into Section 232, adds new Chapter 99 reporting codes, reduces rates on some machinery and vehicle derivatives, and lowers the US-content exemption threshold to 85%.
Read → - December 24, 2024
Navigating the Freight Landscape: December 2024 to January 2025
From the looming ILA strike to tariff changes, a breakdown of the key freight-market developments heading into 2025.
Read → - July 5, 2024
Shipping Market Update: July 2024
July may bring peak shipping rates on the back of port congestion in Asia, the Red Sea crisis, and rising demand.
Read → - May 20, 2024
Behind the Surge in Ocean Freight Container Shipping Rates
The ocean freight market is seeing dramatic rate increases, driven by a combination of factors creating a volatile environment for shippers.
Read → - April 11, 2024
The Baltimore bridge collapse has not led to a rise in rates
The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse disrupted the US East Coast, but ocean freight rates from the Far East have not increased.
Read → - March 26, 2024
Baltimore bridge collapse caused disruption in the supply chain
A container vessel's collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge significantly impacted the local supply chain and the Port of Baltimore.
Read → - November 2, 2023
Panama Canal's drastic reduction in transit capacity
The challenges facing the shipping industry as the Panama Canal cuts transit capacity after its driest October on record.
Read → - February 20, 2023
Import demand still falling
Average daily bookings for container imports ran at half of January 2022 and 25% below pre-pandemic 2020.
Read → - November 21, 2022
This year, things are not that bad for U.S. imports
U.S. imports have been steadily rising since February, with a noticeable uptick in imports from China.
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