Latest news with #TheGlobalShippingReport
Fibre2Fashion
12-07-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
ChinaâUS container volumes down 28% in June 2025
China-origin container volumes to the US remained significantly subdued in June 2025, totalling 639,300 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs)—flat month-on-month (MoM) but 28.3 per cent below June 2024 levels, according to The Global Shipping Report released by Descartes. China's share of total US imports dropped to 28.8 per cent, its lowest since 2021, reflecting the lingering effects of elevated tariffs, sourcing diversification, and the phased revocation of the de minimis exemption. China-origin container volumes to the US stayed flat MoM in June 2025 at 639,300 TEUs, but dropped 28.3 per cent YoY. China's share of US imports hit a low of 28.8 per cent amid tariffs, de minimis rule revocation, and trade rerouting. E-commerce brands face margin pressure, while Red Sea disruptions and tariff uncertainty ahead of the August 10 truce expiry add to trade risks. The marginal recovery in overall US imports in June (up 1.8 per cent from May to 2,217,675 TEUs) was not mirrored by China. Analysts point to uncertainty ahead of the August 10 expiry of the US–China tariff truce, which temporarily reduced tariffs from 145 per cent to 30 per cent. New tariffs on Vietnamese re-exports—often used to bypass direct China sourcing—have further constrained trade flows. E-commerce brands have been hit particularly hard. The revoked de minimis rule, replaced with a 54 per cent duty as of mid-May, continues to erode margins and increase compliance costs. Wider geopolitical tensions are amplifying trade risk. Shipping through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait remains depressed—nearly 50 per cent below early 2024 levels—as carriers reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, increasing costs and delays on Asia–US and Asia–Europe lanes. The Iran–Israel conflict and persistent Houthi attacks have stalled any return to Red Sea routes. With China-origin imports historically concentrated through West Coast ports, the impact of reduced volumes has been partially offset by tariff-induced rerouting and a surge in trade from other Asian economies. Yet analysts said that unless there is clarity on tariff policy post-August, the slowdown in China trade may extend well into the second half of 2025. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Fibre2Fashion
11-07-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
US container imports recover modestly in June, led by West Coast
After a sharp drop in May, US container import volumes stabilised in June 2025, rising 1.8 per cent month-on-month (MoM) to 2,217,675 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), according to The Global Shipping Report released by Descartes. While still 3.5 per cent below June 2024 levels, the recovery suggests early signs of adaptation in supply chains amid persistent tariff uncertainty and volatile trade flows. A shift occurred in port market share, with West Coast gateways regaining dominance. Los Angeles led the rebound with a 29.1 per cent surge, followed by Long Beach (+18.8 per cent) and Tacoma (+33.3 per cent). Collectively, West Coast ports captured 45.4 per cent of top-port volumes—up from 38.1 per cent in May—while East and Gulf Coast ports declined to 38.7 per cent. Transit delays improved significantly in June, dropping from 54.4 days in May to 44.0 days across major US ports. Los Angeles and Long Beach saw the greatest improvements, with delays reduced by 2.1 and 3.3 days, respectively. New York/New Jersey held steady at 5.8 days, while southern ports like Savannah and Houston posted moderate gains, as per the report. By contrast, Gulf Coast ports, which had seen steady growth earlier in the year, faltered in June. Imports into the region fell 24.8 per cent to 192,883 TEUs—erasing three months of gains and landing 15.1 per cent below the rolling 12-month average. The broader macroeconomic picture is mixed. While the US added 147,000 jobs in June and unemployment edged down to 4.1 per cent, manufacturing employment slipped for the second straight month. The Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates at 4.25–4.50 per cent highlights the balance between inflation control and economic caution. As the Liberation Day tariff pause ends on July 9 and trade policy uncertainty mounts, importers and logistics providers will need to remain agile, the report said. US container imports rose 1.8 per cent MoM in June 2025 to 2.22 million TEUs, signalling stabilisation after May's sharp drop. West Coast ports led gains, with Los Angeles and Long Beach rebounding strongly. Transit delays eased, but Gulf Coast volumes fell 24.8 per cent. As tariff pauses end and uncertainty builds, port performance remains a key indicator heading into peak season. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
