Good Day Clients & Partners,
This has been one of the most significant weeks in International trade in the modern era.
Donald Trump has paused most of the reciprocal tariffs introduced 12 hours earlier, extending the pause for 90 days – providing relief to the affected countries.
However, this is not a complete suspension or turn-around:
Firstly, tariffs on Chinese products are set to increase to 125%, up from 104% earlier in the day and 34% a week ago.
Secondly, the pause only affects reciprocal tariffs, which target countries with significant trade surpluses with the U.S. A universal 10% tariff on most imports remains, with some exceptions like cars facing a 25% tariff.
Lastly, other commodities such as pharmaceuticals & semiconductors may potentially still be subject to new tariffs.
As a result, while avoiding a major trade conflict, the U.S. has seen its average tariff rate rise from 3% to 20%.
The result is that, even while the pull back as been massive, in the space of two months, America’s average tariff rate has gone from roughly 3% to about 20%.
The consequences of all this trade patterns and flows remains to be seen – but reports of changed carrier schedules and blank sailings are already coming through.
SOUTH AFRICA
Annual Tariff & Transport increases in place as of 1st April 2025
Port updates
Durban
The port has experienced low wind speeds during the week. Appointment slots are constrained due to high volume of containers moving through Durban terminals. All IDMs continue to move as scheduled.
- Pier 1 : 0-2 days delay
- Pier 2 : 0 days delay
- Durban Point : 3 days delay
Cape Town
The port has experienced strong winds during the week. Normal volumes of traffic and operations continue as per normal. IDMs are moving as scheduled.
- CTCT : 7-10 days
- MPT : 0 days
Port Elizabeth
The port has experienced windy weather during the week. Normal volumes of traffic and operations continue as per normal. IDMs are moving as scheduled.
- PECT : 0-1 days delay
- NCT : 0 days delay
Air Freight
Imports: All services running smoothly.
Exports: Services ex ZA are all running smoothly, no major delays experienced this week, rates remain stable.
Road Freight
Services running smoothly.
AFRICA & INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS
Port Updates
Services to East African ports continue to experience congestion delays. Export scheduling to the region is erratic at present resulting in multiple changes to published schedules.
ANGOLA
- Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at Luanda port.
GHANA
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Tema port.
IVORY COAST
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Abidjan port.
KENYA
- Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at Mombasa port.
MAURITIUS
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Port Louis.
MOZAMBIQUE
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Maputo port.
NAMIBIA
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Walvis Bay port.
NIGERIA
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Apapa port. High levels of congestion continue to be experienced.
SENEGAL
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Dakar port.
TANZANIA
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Dar es Salaam port.
Air Freight
Most services running smoothly.
- Air France is no longer servicing: Ougadougou, Burkina Faso, Bamako Mali, N’djamena, Niamey. Cargo into Senegal on Ethiopian Airline has a +/- 2 week in advance booking due to capacity ex ADD-DSS.
- Kenya Airways are experiencing major delays connecting via NBO, due to reduced capacity ex NBO – JNB Airport, expect a 7–10-day delay on these flights. Currently there is a backlog of roughly 20tons of cargo, with perishable cargo and AOG cargo taking preference for space.
- Ethiopian airlines has a huge backlog ex Addis Ababa to DSS and BKO +/- 1 week delay due to passenger baggage.
NORTH AMERICA
Due to all the uncertainty generated by US tariff changes, the following has been reported:
- Sea Freight bookings from China to US dropped off massively.
- Reports of blank sailings & shipping line schedule changes to and from the USA set to increase (ONE has already suspended their PN4 Pacific service, hinting at wider cancellations)
Air Freight
All services running smoothly with minor delays during transhipment.
Sea Freight
Imports: Port congestions continue as a result of the strikes & erratic sailing schedule.
Exports: Services are running smoothly with minimal delays.
Port Updates
CANADA
MONTREAL
- Berthing delays of 5 days experienced at this port. Vessel productivity is strong and winter navigation restrictions have been lifted, with the exception of night time navigation for large beam vessels. This is expected to be removed in the coming days.
TORONTO
- Berthing delays of 9 days experienced at this port.
VANCOUVER
- Berthing delays of 6 days experienced at this port.
USA
Carrier schedules are erratic, and vessel schedule amendments are occurring frequently, as well as amendments to vessel rotations. We are also seeing last minute changes to terminal stack dates and therefore there we may be amendments to vessel details as booked and/or delays experienced.
Terminals Updates:
- NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY – Vessel waiting time is up to 3 days. New cranes have arrived at APMT and are currently being assembled and commissioned. While berth space remains limited, the upgrades will allow two vessels to be worked simultaneously. APMT New York is facing high demand for gate appointments and may not be able to accommodate all requests, especially on the cut-off day.
- NORFOLK– Vessel waiting time is up to 1 day.
- CHARLESTON – Vessel waiting time is up to 2 days. The toe wall project has been completed, all berths are now operational.
- SAVANNAH – Vessel waiting time is up to 4 days.
- MIAMI – Vessel waiting time is up to 5 days.
- HOUSTON – Vessel waiting time is up to 2 days.
- OAKLAND – Vessel waiting time is up to 3 days. OICT has 2 cranes out of order.
- LOS ANGELES/ LONG BEACH – Vessel waiting time is up to 1 day.
- SEATTLE – Vessel waiting time is up to 5 days.
LATIN AMERICA
Air Freight
All services running smoothly.
Sea Freight
Services running smoothly.
Port Updates
ARGENTINA
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Buenos Aires port.
BRAZIL
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Santos port. Brasil terminal continues to work with 2 piers.
MEXICO
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Altamira port, 0 days at Veracruz port, and 2 days at Manzanillo port.
NORTH WEST CONTINENT, UNITED KINGDOM, MEDITERRANEAN
Air Freight
Services running smoothly.
Sea Freight
Services running smoothly.
Port Updates
Vessel schedule delays continue to impact the region. Amended port rotations and port omissions on the carrier services, as well as vessel changes, cascading / rolled schedules and blank sailings may result in amended LCL cargo loading schedules.
BELGIUM
- Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at Antwerp port. All terminals in Antwerp impacted by fog during the week leading to smaller delays.
FRANCE
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Le Havre port.
GERMANY
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Hamburg port and 2 days at Bremerhaven port. CTB: Some delays to the line-up after last weekend’s high wind extending port stays and ongoing construction works.
ITALY
- Berthing delays of 5 days experienced at Genova port and 9 days at La Spezia port.
NETHERLANDS
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Rotterdam port.
SPAIN
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Barcelona port. FCL containers transshipping in Algeciras have expected delays of 1-2 weeks.
SWEDEN
- No berthing delays experienced at Gothenburg port.
TURKEY
- Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at Istanbul port.
UNITED KINGDOM
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at London Gateway port. Terminal performing on a high level. No operational challenges to report for this week.
Vessel Scheduling Amendments (iInformation below is correct at time of weekly publication):
- Santa Teresa – with voyage 250n WILL OMIT Cape Town call. Import will discharge in Durban to connect to the Kalahari Express.
- Santa Teresa and Mehuin – with voyage 250N will swop positions in Europe. The Mehuin will therefore call London before the Santa Teresa.
INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT & MIDDLE EAST
There is still a risk of the continuation of the Red Sea crisis much further into 2025.
Air Freight
- Services are running smoothly.
- In the Middle East however, airlines have suspended services to and from some countries/territories.
Sea Freight
Services running smoothly.
Port Updates
INDIA
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Chennai and Nhava Sheva ports.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Jebel Ali port.
SRI LANKA
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Colombo port. FCL containers transshipping in Colombo have expected delays of 1-2 weeks.
ASIA PACIFIC (Including Oceania)
Air Freight
All services running smoothly.
Sea Freight
There has been significant reductions in Sea Freight cargo bookings from Asian ports into the USA. Increased blank sailings and schedule changes are likely.
Port Updates
HONG KONG
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at this port.
KOREA
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Busan port. Bunching of mega vessels experienced.
MALAYSIA
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Port Kelang. FCL containers transhipping in Tanjung Pelepas have expected delays of 1-2 weeks.
NANSHA
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at this port.
NINGBO
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at this port. Vessel bunching experienced. Berth situation differs from terminal to terminal.
QINGDAO
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port. Vessel bunching experienced.
SHANGHAI
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at this port. Vessel bunching experienced.
SHEKOU / YANTIAN
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Shekou port and 4 days at Yantian port.
XIAMEN
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at this port.
XINGANG
- No berthing delays experienced at this port
SINGAPORE
- Berthing delay of 1 day being experienced at this port. FCL containers transshipping in Singapore have expected delays of 1-2 weeks.
TAIWAN
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Kaohsiung port.
THAILAND
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Bangkok port.
VIETNAM
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Hai Phong port and 2 days at Ho Chi Minh port.
NEWS ARTICLES
Trump announces 90-day tariff pause for most nations, except China
10/04/2025
President Donald Trump has announced a 90-day suspension of reciprocal tariffs for over 75 countries, while escalating trade tensions with China by increasing tariffs on Chinese imports to 125%. This follows an earlier increase to 104% earlier in the week, prompted by China’s retaliatory tariffs of 34% and later 84% on U.S. goods. Trump cited China’s “lack of respect” for global markets as the reason for the latest hike. He also indicated that countries refraining from retaliatory measures would benefit from a 10% reduction in reciprocal tariffs during ongoing trade negotiations.
The announcement comes after days of severe global market turbulence triggered by earlier tariff measures, which reportedly erased over $6 trillion in market value by the previous Friday. However, the latest policy shift sparked a significant rebound in U.S. markets, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average jumping over 1,800 points and the S&P 500 climbing 7%, marking the first market rally since Trump’s April 2 “reciprocal tariff” declaration. Despite this, key tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles remain intact, and analysts warn of continued instability due to unresolved tensions with China.
Trump’s administration, led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, emphasized the president’s “personal involvement” in ongoing trade talks with the 75 nations affected by the tariff suspension. Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick noted a growing global willingness to pursue trade reforms—excluding China, which has pledged to “fight to the end” against U.S. tariffs. The 10% baseline tariff will remain in effect during the 90-day negotiation period, with specific sectors like pharmaceuticals and lumber still under review. Trump reiterated on his Truth Social platform that the U.S. would no longer tolerate being economically exploited by foreign powers. Source
Legal wrangle over terminal project could hobble South African port efficiency hopes
04/04/2025
Continued congestion at South African ports—mainly Cape Town and Durban—due to adverse weather, equipment breakdowns, and dredging operations has led to significant delays, drawing calls from private companies for swift intervention. Maersk highlighted the high costs of delays for both shipping lines and customers, noting strong winds during the seasonal transition as a recurring issue. The carrier emphasized its collaboration with Transnet to improve productivity and mitigate wind-related disruptions but acknowledged there is still considerable progress to be made.
However, tensions between port investors may be compounding the issue. A recent dispute between Maersk’s terminal arm, APM Terminals, and International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) over a Durban terminal concession has stalled development after APMT challenged the selection process in court. ICTSI accused Maersk of trying to derail South Africa’s economic agenda in favor of securing greater control over the logistics system. While Maersk reiterated its commitment to supporting South Africa’s growth through infrastructure investment, the conflict underscores how competitive interests may be hindering effective and timely port improvements. Meanwhile, the government is seeking broader private sector involvement to enhance logistics productivity across the port and rail sectors. Source
Transnet warns union against industrial action
04/04/2025
Transnet, South Africa’s state-owned logistics utility, has warned the United National Transport Union (Untu) against launching unprotected industrial action after the union filed a mutual interest dispute with the Transnet Bargaining Council. The dispute follows Untu’s rejection of Transnet’s final wage offer and a 48-hour demand for clarity on its implementation. Meanwhile, the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu), a minority union, accepted the offer, which includes a 6% wage increase in 2025 and 2026, and 5.5% in 2027. Transnet stated that the final offer will only be implemented for Satawu members and other non-Untu employees, while Untu members will not receive the raise unless an agreement is reached.
Transnet emphasized that any industrial action by Untu before the dispute is formally resolved will be deemed unprotected, urging the union to communicate this to its members. The company reiterated its commitment to good-faith negotiations and stated that its inflation-based wage proposal is fair and aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability for both the company and the broader economy. Transnet stressed that it has consistently engaged with recognized unions to secure a stable agreement that supports operational and financial improvement.
The utility also criticized Untu for making internal communications public before giving the board a chance to respond. Nonetheless, board chairperson Dr. Andile Sangqu has since replied to the union. Transnet maintained that all grievances should be addressed through the proper collective bargaining channels, in accordance with South African labor laws. The company expressed its continued commitment to a structured, collaborative dialogue with labor unions to achieve equitable outcomes and maintain industrial stability. Source
Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs Spark Global Shipping Industry Concerns
03/042025
President Trump’s newly announced tariff increases are set to significantly reshape global shipping patterns and container freight rates, sparking concern across the maritime industry. The tariffs include a 10% baseline on all U.S. imports, with even higher rates for about 60 countries accused of unfair trade practices. Industry experts estimate this will raise overall import duties by 15–20%, with nearly 80% of U.S. imports affected. Container shipping, in particular, is expected to bear the brunt, as most goods transported in containers will face increased tariffs, while bulk commodities remain largely exempt.
Shipping giants like Maersk anticipate short-term volatility, including spikes in air freight demand and increased use of bonded storage as companies delay customs clearance. Retailers, represented by the National Retail Federation, warn that the costs will ultimately fall on U.S. businesses and consumers, emphasizing that tariffs are taxes paid domestically. The sudden implementation has left many companies scrambling, with little time to adjust their supply chains or pricing structures, compounding the uncertainty and logistical challenges.
Analysts from Moody’s and Flexport note a ripple effect on supply chain decision-making, with many businesses entering a state of “paralysis” as they weigh options for reshoring or restructuring. While there is growing interest in boosting domestic manufacturing, particularly for final product assembly, the benefits are limited. Supply chain professionals are being urged to focus on resilience and reliability as rising costs and logistical instability intensify. Additionally, the already significant U.S. trade imbalance may worsen, with only 30% of outbound containers carrying goods—a stark decline from 80% two decades ago.
Port operators and regional economies are also bracing for long-term impacts. Smaller ports, especially those handling lower-value goods, may see sharp drops in shipping volumes. Moody’s warns that sustained tariff pressures could hurt overall port activity and strain local government revenues, especially in areas reliant on manufacturing and agriculture. A past OECD analysis predicted a global economic slowdown with far smaller tariff increases; thus, the current measures could pose even greater risks. As the industry adapts, many are turning to AI-driven logistics tools to optimize routes and improve efficiency, marking what could be a major turning point in global trade logistics. Source
A summary of US Tarriff Changes
03/04/2025
- As of April 5, a 10% universal tariff is imposed on all imports to the US.
- As of April 9, additional tariffs (11%–50%) target specific countries based on trade imbalances.
- China now faces a total 104% tariff on exports to the US.
International Reactions:
- UK, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Taiwan: No countermeasures; Vietnam and Taiwan open to zero-tariff talks.
- China: Imposed retaliatory tariffs up to 34% on US goods; US responded with another 50% tariff on Chinese imports.
- EU: Proposed zero-tariff deal on autos/industrial goods (rejected by US); considering limited responses, mostly in steel/aluminium.
Logistics Impact:
- US importers face high uncertainty around landed costs, leading many to delay shipments.
- Sea freight disruption:
- – Bookings from China to US dropped 67% in a week.
- – China’s export bookings overall fell 40%.
- Blank sailings likely: ONE suspended PN4 Pacific service, hinting at wider cancellations.
Workarounds Available:
- Options like Free/Foreign Trade Zones, bonded warehouses, TIBs, and carnets may help delay or reduce tariff exposure.
Unclear US Goals:
- The motives behind US tariff demands remain vague, creating unpredictability for global trade stakeholders.
Outlook:
- The trade environment is highly volatile, requiring ongoing monitoring and flexibility from shippers and carriers. Source
Tighter EU import requirements proving ‘a challenge’ for forwarders
31/03/2025
The EU’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is entering a new phase of stricter enforcement starting April 1, requiring all house-level filers—such as freight forwarders and importers—to submit entry summary declarations (ENS) for all non-EU imports across all transport modes, including road and rail. Carriers like Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk have responded with firm “no ENS–no load” policies, refusing to ship containers lacking valid movement reference numbers (MRNs). Hapag-Lloyd urged shippers to meet documentation deadlines and ensure data accuracy, warning that even minor errors, like incorrect phone number formats or invalid EORI numbers, could delay or cancel shipments.
Despite industry efforts to prepare, freight forwarders have faced significant operational and technical challenges. CLECAT, the European association of freight forwarders, reported widespread issues with system integration and limited support from national customs helpdesks. Single filings with carriers have proven particularly problematic due to a lack of electronic messaging capabilities for transmitting house-level data. These difficulties have led to missed deadlines, refused shipments, and overall disruption in the logistics chain.
Further complications stem from unclear registration procedures with customs authorities and limited access to certified IT service providers, especially in regions like France. CLECAT has called on the European Commission to publish a list of ICS2-approved IT providers to help forwarders navigate compliance more easily. As enforcement tightens, forwarders stress the urgent need for clearer guidance, better technical support, and improved infrastructure to avoid costly delays and maintain supply chain efficiency. Source
IMO Prepares to Finalize Decarbonization Framework That Could Reshape Global Shipping
02/04/2025
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is set to finalize pivotal greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction measures at the upcoming MEPC 83 meeting in London from April 7–11, 2025. These measures, part of the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework, include amendments to MARPOL Annex VI and feature a dual approach: a technical component introducing a marine fuel standard to cut GHG intensity, and an economic component implementing a GHG emissions pricing mechanism. These steps aim to align with the IMO’s strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by around 2050, reduce carbon intensity by 40% by 2030 (compared to 2008), and ensure 5–10% of shipping energy comes from low or zero-emission sources by the same year.
With over 97% of the global merchant fleet covered under MARPOL Annex VI, the implications for the shipping industry are profound. Discussions around a carbon levy, with possible rates ranging from $18 to $150 per ton, are contributing to market uncertainty. If approved, the draft amendments will move toward adoption at a special MEPC session in October 2025 and could take effect in 2027. MEPC 83 will also tackle broader environmental initiatives, including emission measurement standards for methane and nitrous oxide and establishing a regulatory pathway for onboard carbon capture and storage, signaling a major shift toward sustainable maritime practices. Source
East-west rates diverge as transpac spots hold while Asia-Europe keeps falling
04/04/2025
Container spot freight rates on the major east-west trades showed a split trend this week. Transpacific routes saw a rebound in pricing, with Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) reporting a 10% week-on-week increase on the Shanghai–Los Angeles leg, reaching $2,726 per 40ft, while the Shanghai–New York route rose 8% to $3,894 per 40ft. These gains were supported by reduced capacity and general rate increases (GRIs) introduced on April 1. Analysts noted that capacity cuts, particularly blank sailings by MSC and the Ocean Alliance, and strong pre-tariff demand from U.S. importers have helped stabilize rates. However, there are concerns that once this rush subsides, volumes could fall significantly, potentially leading to a subdued peak season.
In contrast, rates on Asia-Europe trades continued to weaken. The WCI showed a 3% drop on the Shanghai–Rotterdam route and a 4% decline on the Shanghai–Genoa leg. The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) echoed this trend with marginal decreases. Analysts attributed the declines to oversupply, with post-Chinese New Year capacity on Asia–North Europe routes up 27% year-on-year. Sea-Intelligence CEO Alan Murphy highlighted that the rate drops go beyond seasonal norms and may reflect a price war among carriers or a broader imbalance between supply and demand.
The diverging rate trends reveal growing volatility in global container markets. While transpacific rates are temporarily buoyed by short-term demand and capacity management, Asia–Europe lanes face mounting pressure from excess space and aggressive pricing tactics. Freight experts warn that unless shipping alliances align capacity with actual demand, continued rate erosion and disrupted market stability could persist, particularly on Europe-bound routes. Source
Trade imbalances and tariffs – Trump has it all wrong
04/04/2025
Global industry leaders continue to push back against former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed “reciprocal tariffs,” which target various countries based on questionable calculations of trade imbalances. Trump recently held up a chart at the White House claiming nations like China, South Africa, Vietnam, and others were charging excessively high tariffs—some up to 99%—on U.S. imports. Citing this supposed disparity, Trump justified imposing new tariffs ranging from 30% to nearly 50% on exports from those countries to the U.S., including even smaller economies like Lesotho and Botswana.
Critics swiftly debunked Trump’s claims. Trade experts, including Donald MacKay of XA Global Trade Advisors and Professor Johan Fourie of Stellenbosch University, argued that the figures presented were not based on actual tariff data. For instance, South Africa’s average tariff on U.S. goods is about 7.5%, far from the claimed 60%. According to TradeMap data, only a few low-value U.S. imports to South Africa—like second-hand clothing and tobacco—face high tariffs, totaling just $379,000 in 2023. Fourie emphasized that Trump’s numbers were based on a flawed method: dividing the U.S. trade deficit with a country by the total value of U.S. imports from that country.
This formula, widely criticized by economists, falsely equates trade imbalances with tariff rates. Lars Jensen, CEO of Vespucci Maritime, described the approach as “a lie,” saying it distorts real trade dynamics by ignoring actual policy and relying solely on misleading arithmetic. He noted that VAT and technical barriers were also vaguely cited as justifications, but lacked any credible analysis. The broader concern among analysts is that such rhetoric undermines informed trade policy and could provoke unnecessary economic retaliation.
Entrepreneur Mzamo Khuzwayo further illustrated the flaw using South Africa–U.S. trade figures. In 2024, the U.S. imported $15 billion worth of goods from South Africa and exported $6 billion to it, creating a $9 billion trade deficit. Trump’s team seemingly interpreted this deficit—60% of U.S. imports—as an equivalent tariff rate, prompting the reciprocal 30% tariff. Organizations like Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies have since published statements challenging the logic and accuracy of this interpretation, warning that these miscalculations could have damaging global trade consequences. Source
SOURCES & REFERENCES
SACO CFR | Hapag Lloyd | Maersk | MSC | Transnet | The LoadStar Publications | gCaptain.com | Shipco Transport | Splash247.com | Freightnews | Seatrade Maritime News | Automotive Logistics | Lloyds List | The Economist
Again, the Inter-Sped team is here for all freight and Logistics needs – We will always do our best for you and keep you posted on your shipments progress on an individual shipment level.
Thank you for choosing Inter-Sped.
JJ & The Inter-Sped Team
