Middle East conflict

Houthis capture the key port city of Mocha

There have been repeated clashes along Yemen’s western coast in recent years. However, in the wake of the Iran war, control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait has taken on even greater significance.

Dangerous goods

World Shipping Council calls for battery labelling on containers

A handful of smartphones in a container do not pose a safety risk – but several thousand do. Nevertheless, there are no standard regulations for dangerous goods. The World Shipping Council is now calling for improvements.

Ranking

Container shipping lines report a strong second quarter

All nine carriers reporting EBIT posted operating profits between 1 April and 30 June. The sector had last achieved this in the third quarter of 2025. For the fifth consecutive time, a Taiwanese carrier tops the margin rankings.

Protest against welfare policy

Strike forces Dutch rail services to standstill

Two trade unions have called for industrial action in protest against the government’s social policy. Freight and passenger rail services are affected.

Acquisition

Lufthansa Cargo takes over ground handling firm LUG

The acquisition of LUG strengthens Lufthansa Cargo’s already leading position in ground handling at Frankfurt Airport. It also marks the group’s first move into CargoCity Süd.

Inside Freight Markets

Argentina’s race for water

Climate change is causing waterways around the world to dry up. On the Argentinian river Paraná, dredging is set to begin in order to keep industry plants connected to sea bound trade. European firms could benefit from this project. 

Planned takeover

Hapag-Lloyd to submit renewed offer for Zim

A fresh bid from Hapag-Lloyd is intended to prevent the proposed Zim acquisition from collapsing. But resistance in Israel has intensified in recent weeks, spanning the government, the authorities and sections of the company’s workforce.

Bunker

A shortage of marine fuel is expected soon

Supply pressure is building in the marine fuel market as war-related refinery losses and changing refinery economics reduce output. With diesel, petrol and kerosene offering better returns, marine fuel is losing priority.

Climate action in the aviation sector

IATA: EU emissions trading proposals undermine the roll-out of CORSIA

The airline industry is pushing back against proposed changes to the EU aviation ETS, arguing that they would cut across the roll-out of Corsia. The European Commission has dismissed those concerns.

On the Move

FedEx Freight Chief Commercial Officer sacked

Michael B. Lyons has been forced to leave the company shortly after FedEx Freight became independent of FedEx Corp. The manager is accused of breaching the Code of Conduct.

Half-yearly results

Port rankings: Europe is losing ground – South-East Asia is booming

A new order is taking shape in the top tier of container ports. It is shaped by new trade routes and market concentration. Europe is slipping down the rankings in this order.

Capacity crunch

Shortage of widebody aircraft is putting air cargo under increasing pressure

Airbus and Boeing have under-delivered for years. That shortfall in freighter capacity isn't going away soon, and it will keep dragging on the sector.  Free to read

National security

US officials accuse Cosco of spying from merchant ships

For decades, Cosco has run a parallel intelligence operation for Beijing, using concealed equipment to intercept military communications along the coasts of Europe, North America and Asia, Reuters reports, citing US officials. China's embassy in…

Regulation

EU signals review of aviation fuel rules

The EU's ReFuelEU Aviation rules require an ever-larger share of sustainable aviation fuel in jet fuel. Brussels must deliver a formal assessment of the scheme by January 2027, and industry is pushing hard for changes – though the Commission has so…

Congestion

Why container ships are stuck waiting so long

Never before has so much container capacity sat idle at sea, stranded outside ports. The obvious culprit is congestion – but a closer look tells a different story.