KMTC Line has unveiled a new weekly shipping service that will connect Asia with Mexico, slated to begin operations on April 30, 2025. This service will navigate a route that includes Shanghai, Qingdao, Busan in South Korea, and Manzanillo in Mexico, before returning to Shanghai. The initiative is designed to enhance trade flows between East Asia and Latin America, reinforcing KMTC’s strategy for global expansion and its status as a major contender in international container shipping.
This new route is part of KMTC’s ongoing efforts to improve the reliability and speed of its services, reflecting the company’s commitment to operational excellence and network optimization. The addition of this service vice aims to bolster regional connectivity, particularly through the Middle East. KMTC Middle East.
will manage transshipment operations via Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, which will facilitate the movement of cargo from the Gulf region to – Busan, and subsequently to Mexico. This enhancement is expected to solidify supply chain connections for customers operating in the Middle East and Red Sea regions, creating more efficient channels for trade and logistics.
The launch is aligned with KMTC’s strategy objectives to expand its global reach, foster economic development, and penetrate emerging market. By incorporating Mexico into its network. KMTC joins other shipping lines that are increasing investments in transpacific routes, a move resilient and diversified supply chain solutions in light of evolving trade land scapes.
Box volume at MAWANI sees 13.6pc increase in March
THE ports supervised by the Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) recorded a 13.61 per cent increase in container handling during March 2025, reaching 699,928 TEU compared to 616,079 TEU in the
same period last year, writes London’s Port Technology International.
Exported containers saw a surge of 31.82 per cent, totaling 280,341 TEU compared to 212,672. TEU in the same period last year, while imported containers grew by 7.78 per cent, reaching 281,216 TEU. compared to 260,912 TEU.
However, transshipment containers recorded a 2.89 per cent decline, totaling 138,371 TEU compared to 142,495 TEU in the same period last year.
Total cargo throughput tonnag, including general cargo, solid bulk, and liquid bulk, rose by 8.69 percent, reaching 21.18 million tons compared to 19.49 million tons in the same period last year.
This includes 971,850 tons Saudi Ports Authority Dachan of general cargo, 4.5 million tons (MAWANI) container Maritime of solid bulk, and 15.7 million throughput March tons of liquid bulk.
Maritime traffic witnessed a Terminal Jeddah Islamic Port ports min 6.75 per cent increase, with 1,044 terminals pro de vessels compared to 978 vessels last year. The to the same month of 2025 as exports of cement from the country during March 2025 were year. MAWANI unveiled the new Last month, DP World and South Container Terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port.
Saudi Ports Authority Dachan B tons (MAWANI) container Maritime million throughput March World South 2025DP The Container the eased a Terminal Jeddah Islamic Port ports terminals
Seafood exports grow Seafood exports grow 8.15% in 9 months of FY2024-25
Fish and fish preparations exports during last 09 months of current financial year grew by 8.15 per cent as compared to the exports of the corresponding period of the last year. Over 151,787 metric tons of fish and fish products valued at $322.906 million were exported during the period from July-March 2024-25 as compared to the 145,671 metric tons worth of $289.568 million of the same period of last year, according the data of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Meanwhile, meat and meat products exports during the period under review also increased by 0.99 per cent as 90,578 metric tons of meat and meat preparations worth of $391.118 million were exported as against the exports of 93,587 metric tons valued at $387.279 million of the same period of the last year. In last 09 months, the country exported over 663,980 metric tons of Basmati-Rice valued at $676.967 million as compared to the exports 545,223 metric tons worth $622.347 million of the same period of the last year, it added. During the period under review, over 4.017 mil- lion tons of rice other than basmati rice worth $2.080 billion were also exported as compared to the exports of 4.011 million tons valued at $2.308 billion of the same period of the last year. The food group exports from, the country during the period under review grew by 1.62 per cent as compared to the exports of the corresponding period of the last year. During the period from July-March 2024-25, food commodities worth $5.749 billion were exported as compared to the exports of $5.658 billion of the same period of the last year. On the other hand, food group imports into the country during the last 09 months of the current financial year decreased by 2.74 percent as compared to the imports of the corresponding period of the last year. During the period from July to March 2024-25, imports of food commodities went down from $6.290 billion to $6.118 billion, the data reveled.
Box rates see uptick as tariffs shock supply chains
THE upheaval in global trade following a spate of US tariffs has had container rates up with Asia- US west coast rising three per cent to US$2,246 per FEU and Asia-US east coast up five per cent to $3,541 per FEU, according to Freights analysis.
At the forefront of this trade war escalation is China, now facing a staggering minimum duty of 54 per cent on all goods exported to the US, with some items subject to over 70 per cent, and as much as 129 per cent, in tariffs, after new 50 per cent duty announced by the White House
This dramatic increase compounds existing Trump and Biden- era duties, creating a formidable barrier for Chinese exporters and US importers alike. The ripple effects of these policy changes extend far beyond US-China trade relations, said Freights research chief Judah Levine.
Many Asian countries that had previously benefited from trade diversion are now also subject to steep tariffs. This shift is forcing importers to re-evaluate their sourcing strategies and supply chain configurations.
CEMENT EXPORTS INCREASE
The exports of cement witnessed an increase of 28.19 percent during the nine months of the fiscal year 2024-25, as against the exports of the corresponding period of last year.
The cement exports from the country were recorded at US $230.067 million during July- March (2024-25) against the exports of US $179.472 million during July-March (2023-24), according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
In terms of quantity, the cement export also rose by 39.91 percent from 4,637,735 metric tons to 6,488,810 metric tons, the data revealed. Meanwhile, year-on-year basis, the cement exports witnessed an increase of 41.30 percent during the month of March 2025 as compared to the same month of last year.
The exports of cement from the country during March 2025 were recorded at US $ 22.004 million against the exports of US $ 15.572 million in March 2024.
On a month -on -month basis, cement exports also surged by 10.17 percent during March 2025 when compared to the exports of US $ 19.972 million in February 2025, the PBS data revealed.
It is pertinent to mention here that the overall exports from the country increased by 7.69 percent during the first nine months of the current fiscal year as compared to the corresponding months of last year.
Exports during July -March (20254-25) were recorded at $ 24.690 billion against $ 22.926 billion during July -March (2023 – 24), it added.
On the other hand, imports into the country went up by 6.33 per- cent by growing from $40.054 billion last year to $42.589 billion during the first nine months of the current year.
Eu -Pakistan business network to be launched in May; set to unlock investment
The first high-level EU-Pakistan Business Forum (EU-PKBF), designed to strengthen economic and business ties and unlock investment and trade will be held in May, the EU press office said on Wednesday, adding that the platform would also mark the official launch of the EU Pakistan Business Network. Pakistan has become the largest beneficiary of the EU’s GSP+ trade schemes in recent years, with its businesses increasing their exports to the EU market by 108 per cent since the launch of the trade scheme in 2014.In October 2023, the EU unanimously vote to extend GSP+ status until 2027 for developing countries, including Pakistan. “The forum will also mark the official launch of the EU Pakistan business network, a dynamic initiative aimed at bringing together all EU businesses active in Pakistan allowing to channel their collective voice, “the EU said, saying the EU-PKBF would be held from May 14-15. The forum will include business-to-government sessions with high-level government officials and offer business-to-business opportunities. “Finally, in view of Pakistan benefiting from the EU’s Global Gateway offer: the EU’s largest in- vestment program outside of the
EU that aims to leverage 300 billons EUR of investment until 2027, the forum will facilitate Business 2 Financial Institutions matchmaking and unveil new tiative aimed at bringing together nities The business forum will see policymakers such as Prime Min- participation from high-level ister Shahbaz Sharif and the ministers of finance and commerce as well as EU and Pakistani business leaders and investors, who will get a “common space to exchange on opportunities and challenges of doing business in Pakistan, including in the sectors of textiles and apparel, agriculture and agribusiness, pharmaceuticals and health care equipment, and renewable energy/connectivity.”
SHENZHEN aims for 33m TEU CONTAINER VOLUME BY 2025
SHENZHEN will focus on enhancing container transportation services across key port areas including Yantian, Nanshan, and shipping channel project in the Dachan Bay, reports UK’s Seatrade western port area. Maritime News. The city plans to accelerate Container the expansion of container terminal facilities, with major projects underway such as the development of the eastern port area at Yantian, the second container terminal at Dachan Bay, and shipping channel project in the western port area. In parallel, Shenzhen aims to strengthen its liquefied natural gas (LNG) service capabilities, targeting a receiving capacity of 16 mil- lion tons by 2025.