Ocean carriers are expected to make only a gradual return to the Suez Canal despite Houthi militia announcing an end to attacks, reports London’s Air Cargo News.
Since 2024, container lines have diverted around Africa, extending Asia-Europe transit times by weeks and boosting air cargo demand.
Analysts warn that a return to the canal could shift volumes back to ocean shipping, hitting air freight growth.
Xeneta chief analyst Peter Sand said crew safety and insurance concerns remain paramount.
He noted carriers need more assurance than militia statements, with some ships testing the route but overall transits trending down in 2025.
Mr Sand cautioned that a largescale return could flood the market with capacity, driving freight rates lower.
Spot rates from Asia to Europe, the Mediterranean and US East Coast are already down more than 50 percent this year.
Carriers are entering loss-making territory, with global freight rates forecast to fall up to 25 percent in 2026 even without changes in the Red Sea.
A sudden return to Suez could trigger severe disruption as lines cancel sailings or slow ships.
Shippers are advised to prepare contingency plans.
Mr Sand said the impact of a large-scale return would be “seismic” for supply chains.
At the TIACA Air Cargo Forum, consultant Ryan Keyrouse warned improved ocean reliability could prompt a shift away from air cargo.
ONE updates LUX service rotation to boost reliability
Ocean Network Express (ONE) has announced that the LUX Service will undergo a proforma adjustment, aiming to provide schedule reliability, stability and service improvement.
With effect from the M/V NYK Diana 0021S/N, the LUX service shall revise its rotation with the respective windows as follows.
Current: Rotterdam Felixstowe – Hamburg – Antwerp – Lisbon – Algeciras – Santos Paranagua Montevideo Buenos Aires Itapoa Paranagua – Santos – Rio de Janeiro-Algeciras – Rotterdam
New: Rotterdam – Felixstowe – Hamburg-Antwerp – Lisbon – Algeciras – Paranagua – Santos – Buenos Aires Montevideo – Itajai – Paranagua – Santos – Rio de Janeiro-Algeciras – Rotterdam Last vessel with original rotation and calling Itapoa: M/V Brooklyn Bridge 0179S/N First vessel with new rotation and calling Itajai: M/V NYK Diana 0021S/N
“We are confident that the adjustments will enhance our service capabilities and further strengthen our Latin America – Europe trade lane offerings,” ONE reported.
Earlier this week, ONE launched a new India-Gulf Service 4 (IG4) to provide enhanced connectivity between West India and the Middle East.
Japan-US container exports dip 8.6 percent in October
Container exports from Japan to the US reached 53,298 TEUS in October, down 8.6 percent year on year (YoY) but up 26.7 percent from September, according to Descartes Datamyne.
Total exports for January through October stood at 528,492 TEUs, a 2.4 percent decline from the same period in 2024.
Direct shipments accounted for 37,555 TEUs in October, falling 13.3 percent YoY, while 15,743 TEUS were transshipped, rising 5.3 percent and representing 29.5 percent of total exports.
Of the transshipped containers, 11,079 TEUS went via South Korea (+9.4 percent), 2,402 via China (+22.5 percent), 1,443 via Taiwan (+1.8 percent), and 267 via Singapore (-73.7 percent).
Among direct exports, Tokyo handled 13,964 TEUS (-21.6 percent), Nagoya 12,083 TEUS (-1.5 percent), Kobe 7,494 TEUS (-23.5 percent), Yokohama 2,699 TEUS (+5.8 percent), and Osaka 470 TEUS (+94.2 percent).
The surge at Osaka was driven by increased auto-related shipments, which prefer direct routing.
By commodity, vehicles excluding railway/tramway rolling stock) rose 5.2 percent to 12,001 TEUS.
Nuclear reactors, machinery, and related equipment fell 16.9 percent to 11,909 TEUS.
Rubber products increased 1 percent to 5,747 TEUS, plastics declined 14 percent to 5,561 TEUS, and electrical machinery, including sound and video equipment, dropped 3.4 percent to 3,314 TEUS.
In August, Trade Waltz Inc.
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Trade Tech to promote the “Global Reliable Authorized Commerce Express (GRACE)” project.
Shanghai port container volume up 6.5%
The world’s largest container port has posted solid growth for the first 10 months of 2025 against a backdrop of geopolitical upheaval.
Shanghai Port has not experienced significant fluctuations and is maintaining an overall upward trend in 2025.
Container throughput at Shanghai port exceeded 46 million teu in the first ten months, a year- on-year increase of 6.5%. Among them, the container throughput at Yangshan port reached 23.84 million teu, up 8.9%.
Export volume for what described as the “new three” items in the shipping sector: electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and solar cells, continued to rise.
New energy vehicles played key role in the port’s container throughput growth, indicating the increasingly strong market competitiveness of the new energy vehicle sector in Shanghai and across China.
To date, Shanghai Nangang port’s automobile throughput exceeded 1.01 million units of vehicle, a figure that has already surpassed Nangang port’s total automobile throughput for the previous year.
Last year, Shanghai Port became the world’s first port with an annual container throughput exceeding 50 million teu.
CMA CGM resumes limited Russia services
CMA CGM has restarted restricted shipments to Russia, three years after halting operations following the invasion of Ukraine, reports Reuters.
The French-based carrier said its CNC subsidiary is now moving foodstuffs such as citrus fruit and coffee to Russia to meet customer demand.
The company stressed the activity is very limited and complies fully with sanctions.
CMA CGM, the world’s third- largest container line, had suspended services and divested port stakes in Russia after the war began.
The firm is not using its own fleet but booking space on vessels operated by other lines, according to Ouest France.
The move aligns CMA CGM with Swiss rival MSC, which has continued shipping to Russia during the conflict but restricted cargo to food, medical and humanitarian supplies.
DP World Antwerp to boost capacity 30 percent
DP World Antwerp has finalised a 230 million ($206 million) expansion in 2026, boosting capacity by 30 percent and cementing the Port of Antwerp’s status as one of Europe’s leading integrated logistics hubs
Since opening in 2005, Antwerp Gateway has grown from handling 70,000 TEUS to more than 2.4 million TEUS this year.
A pioneer in terminal automation, the facility has become a benchmark for smart logistics, combining advanced technology, termodal solutions, and renewable energy to improve trade flows across Europe.
The $266 million investment will fund new infrastructure, expanded yard space, and digital stems designed to increase capacity, reduce emissions, and strengthen barge and rail links.
In 2026, the final four of 27 automated stacking crane modules will enter service, allowing denser container stacking.
DP World plans to introduce its updated Zodiac terminal operating system in 2028 to further enhance planning, visibility, and efficiency.
Rashid Abdulla, CEO and MD of DP World Europe, said: “For two decades, Antwerp Gateway has embodied our mission to make trade flow.
This investment reinforces our long-term commitment to Europe, our customers and the communities we serve.”
With a workforce of over 750 employees, Antwerp Gateway is fully digitalised, with a Truck Appointment System, Trucker App, and biometric access controls.
Sustainability remains central with on-site biogas and wind power generation supporting terminal operations.
Edi Cioran, CEO of DP World Antwerp Gateway, added: “From maximising existing space through modern technology to promoting night logistics and intermodal transport, Antwerp Gateway continues to push boundaries.
Our focus on safety, digital innovation, and renewable energy ensures the terminal remains a European leader for decades to come.”
Recently, the Port of Antwerp- Bruges, NxtPort and The Way Forward announced the full golive of the Inbound Release Platform (IRP), a digital system supporting the new European customs framework for incoming goods.
AD Ports acquires stake in Egypt's ALCN
AD Ports Group has purchased a 19.328 percent equity stake in Alexandria Container & Cargo Handling Company (ALCN) from the Saudi Egyptian Investment Company (SEIC) for EGP13.2 billion (US$278 million), reported London’s Port Technology.
The deal strengthens AD Ports Group’s expansion strategy in Egypt, aiming to boost trade flows along the East-West corridor linking Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
It also supports Egypt’s plans for economic diversification and sustainable development.
SEIC said the transaction aligns with its strategy to enhance portfolio value, generate long term impact and redeploy capital into new opportunities.
Since investing in ALCN in August 2022, SEIC has overseen a 194 percent rise in operating revenue through FY2025.
ALCN runs two Mediterranean terminals in Alexandria and El- Dekheilla, with a combined capacity of 1.5 million TEU Throughput reached 1.07 million TEU in FY2025, with utilisation at about 71 percent.
The terminals span 1.6 kilometres of quay and connect directly to Egypt’s rail network.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, managing director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, said the acquisition expands the company’s footprint on a critical inaritime route and supports trade facilitation, regional integration and long-term value creation.
Muteb Al Shathri, acting CEO of SEIC, said ALCN was among its earliest Egyptian investments.
He noted that strengthened governance and clear strategy had delivered business expansion and strong financial performance, while supporting growth in both Egyptian and Saudi markets.