Did You Know That…

 

…The Port of Hamburg experienced strong growth in 2025, with container throughput rising by 7.3% to 8.3 million TEU, driven by increased trade with China, Malaysia, and the Baltic Sea region.

…Maersk secures first Red Sea foothold with DP World deal at Jeddah

·         APM Terminals’ 37.5% acquisition in DP World’s Southern Container Terminal gives Maersk its first Red Sea foothold

·         Expansion at SCT, including the new $250m Jeddah Logistics Park and enhanced capacity to 4m teu, positions the port as a potential regional hub for Maersk

·         Partnership strengthens DP World’s position at SCT and reflects a broader trend of independent terminal operators seeking carrier‑aligned partnerships to secure cargoes

APM Terminals’ entry into Jeddah comes as Saudi ports reel from Red Sea disruption, but signs grow that Maersk and other carriers are edging back toward traditional routing.

 

…How Germany fell out of love with China. Chinese industry is beating Germany at its own game. Cue panic. For not only has China’s market begun to dry up for Germany, big chunks of German industry now regard China as a direct threat to their interests. They will want the chancellor to voice their concerns. Mr Merz will head to Beijing (as well as Hangzhou, a tech hotspot) acknowledging that China has taken its place among the world’s great powers. But his visit will be shaped by the darkening mood at home. His government believes Vladimir Putin would be unable to prosecute his war in Ukraine without China’s help. Spooks increasingly speak out over Chinese cyber-attacks and acts of espionage in Germany.

 

…A rate war in the Transpacific trade is emerging. With the increase in capacity, carriers have been competing aggressively for market share amid current demand levels. Expectations are that this situation will last until June, when the peak season begins and supply-demand dynamics are likely to stabilize.

 

…CMA CGM has finalized a $350 million contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) to construct six 1,700 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessels in India. Scheduled for delivery between 2029 and 2031, these ships will be registered under the Indian flag. This landmark deal marks the first time a major global container carrier has ordered ships from an Indian yard, boosting India's shipbuilding capabilities.

…Trump swiftly replaces lost IEEPA tariffs but new levies are far less flexible

·         On Friday, the White House announced global 10% tariffs under Section 122, replacing IEEPA tariffs that were been declared illegal; on Saturday, Trump said the rate would be 15%

·         Section 122 tariffs can only be enforced for 150 days, after which they require approval by Congress, which is considered unlikely

·         Trump administration will begin process to implement new tariffs under Section 301 to replace IEEPA tariffs, with the 150-day Section 122 levies acting as a bridge

The landmark US Supreme Court tariff ruling on Friday should be positive for container shipping demand, at least in the short term. Timing of replacement tariffs could spur more frontloading, and US importers are in line for over $160bn in refunds.

 

…Trump’s Supreme Court defeat could make future tariffs even worse

·         US tariff uncertainty spurs EU to pause trade deal with US; Trump warns that countries ‘playing games’ will face higher levies on their goods

·         Eventual Section 301 tariffs could be higher than interim Section 122 duties, providing incentive to frontload US imports

·         Trump could recreate most IEEPA tariffs with Section 301 tariffs after administrative process requirements are met.

US President Donald Trump is not backing off from tariffs after his court loss. He is doubling down. Levies on US imports could theoretically rise later this year, as could the potential for retaliation by trading partners.

…Attached is the most recent supporting information from the NCBFAA attorneys regarding the tariff changes/ alterations , with thanks to our friend Neal Rosenberg of Rose Containerline.

…Slow pace of tariff refunds could mute container shipping upside

·         Tax Foundation estimates that the US already collected over $160bn in IEEPA tariffs; Baker Tilly says ultimate amount will be at least $200bn and might top $300bn

·         Refunds of IEEPA tariffs could stretch over one to three years, predicts Baker Tilly

·         Section 122 tariffs could take in $22bn-$33bn over the next 150 days; these levies will likely face a court challenge.

A mega-refund of tariffs to US importers should be a tailwind for container shipping sentiment and demand. However, if refunds stretch across a multiyear period, the market effect would be limited.

…Container front-loading rush unlikely as China opposes tariffs and Asia remains cautious.

·         With more diversified export options, a repeat of the rush in exports — seen when tariffs were imposed last year — is unlikely this time

·         Asian countries are exercising caution after the recent round of tariff changes because of a lack of clarity

·         Beijing maintains hard line on tariffs stating ‘there are no winners in a trade war’

Most Asian countries will see trade-weighted tariff rates ease, but it is unclear how long this situation will last

 

 

…Hong Kong objects to Maersk's interim takeover of Panama port. The container terminal in Balboa on the Panama Canal, which Maersk's port company, APM Terminals, will operate temporarily after Panama's Supreme Court revoked the license of the current operator, CK Hutchison.

 

…Chinese vehicle exports effectively absorbing newbuild flood but trade imbalance growing, says Höegh Autoliners.

·         Chinese vehicle exports continue to drive record-high vessel utilisation for global pure car and truck carrier operators

·         But empty vessel repositioning voyages back to Asia have more than doubled, increasing operational costs

·         Despite a heavy orderbook, with 75 new ships delivered in 2025 and 60 more due in 2026, demand has remained resilient

China’s rise as the leading global vehicle exporter is transforming deepsea car carrier markets. With a 21% increase in car exports in 2025 and a 40% surge in construction equipment shipments, the country is not only boosting passenger vehicle trade, but also revitalising high and heavy cargo flows.

 

…ONE appoints new chief executive as it restructures its leadership.

·         Fromer ESL chief executive Till Barrelet will replace Jeremy Nixon

·         Nixon will move on to a senior adviser role at ONE

·         ONE will also transition management positions to a matrix structure across all regions and divisions.

Hot off the heels of a loss-making quarter, the container carrier must grapple with geopolitical headwinds to keep its full-year earnings in the black.

 

…The first Japanese investment in America, under last year’s trade agreement, were announced. The three deals will see Japan provide funding for a natural-gas plant in Ohio, an oil-export facility along the Gulf coast and a synthetic-diamond factory in Georgia. The investments are worth $36bn, $33bn of which is for the plant in Ohio. Japan has pledged to spend $550bn on American projects in 2029.

 

…This is the Final Call for EAA Annual Conference Participation in Istanbul next month. To date, we have 130 participants signed up, representing 60+ countries across the world. If not yet listed, you can do this until next week, the registration will close at 06 March.

 

…An adult loses, on average, one brain cell every second — but forms only one new cell about every two minutes.

 

…If you hold your nose, you can't hum. (try it if you don’t believe it..)

 

Wishing you all a very good rest of the week !

 

…This DYKT news bulletin will be published on the website as well, go to www.eaanetwork.com.