Danish carrier Maersk Line has increased its intra-Asia capacity by 52 percent, adding 100,000 TEU to reach 298,134 TEU in total deployed volume, reported UK’s Sea trade Maritime News.
The expansion consolidates Maersk’s second place position in the regional trades, trailing only Cosco Shipping, with operates 300,491 TEU in the area.
Alphaliner’s latest report highlighted that Maersk’s Gemini Cooperation partner, Hapag-Lloyd, nearly doubled its capacity in August 2024, up 97 percent.
The alliance has expanded regional shuttle services to support its hub and the spoke model.
Gemini-operated vessels average just over 2,900 TEU, compared to Cosco’s 2,700 TEU.
MSC operates the largest ships in the region averaging 3,000 TEU.
Despite the capacity surge, intra-Asia freight rates have declined.
Drewry Shipping Consultants reported a 2 percent drop in its Intra-Asia Container Index in late August, with rates at US$582 per 40ft container – 35 percent lower than August 2024.
Alphaliner noted the competitiveness of the intra-Asia market, with 69 carriers operating 2.4 million TEU, up 13 percent year-on-year.
The top 20 carriers control 87 percent of the total capacity.
The Gemini alliance’s capacity upgrade reflects the strategic importance of the region.
deneta’s chief analyst Peter Sand said more containers move within intra-Asia than any other global corridor.
Mr Sand added that since early 2023, an average of 3.95 million TEU per month was shipped between Far East ports, surpassing combined volumes to North America and Europe, which stood at 3.48 million TEU.
A Taiwan-based freight forwarder projected US container imports to fall 19-21 percent year-on-year from September to December 2025, with a full-year decline of 5.6 percent due to tariff-driven demand shifts.
HMM signs US$309 million iron ore shipping deal
South Korea’s largest shipping company HMM Co has signed a KRW430 billion US$309 million) contract with brazil’s Vale SA to transport iron ore over a 10-year period, report Yonhap News.
Under the agreement, HMM will deploy five bulk carriers to move iron ore from April 2026 to March 2036 for Vale, the world’s leading producer of iron ore and nickel.
The deal follows a 636 billion-won contract signed in May with Vale, as HMM seeks to secure stable bulk volumes to offset volatility in the container-shipping market.
A company spokesman said the long-term contracts will support growth and reduce exposure to fluctuations in container demand.
HMM currently operates 90 container carriers but plans to expand into bulk and roll-on/ roll-off (ro-ro) vessels for vehicle transport.
The company aims to grow its bulk fleet from 50 to 110 vessels by 2030.
It also plans to add seven ro-ro ships by the end of next year.
HMM exited the ro-ro segment in 2002 but reentered earlier this month with the delivery of the first of the seven planned vessels.
APMT Mexico unveils $160 million plan to modernise terminal
APM Terminals (APMT) Mexico has announced a phased 19-year, $160 million modernisation plan for its Puerto Progreso container terminal in Yucatán.
The investment will upgrade infrastructure, renew equipment, and introduce advanced technology to boost operational efficiency, logistics visibility, and service reliability.
The plan aims to elevate Puerto Progreso’s logistics capabilities, enhance maritime connectivity in southeast Mexico, and generate jobs and economic opportunities for the region.
APM Terminals CEO Keith Svendsen said: “I’m proud of the long-term project at APMT Yucatán, a pivotal step in modernising infrastructure, boosting capacity, and strengthening Mexico’s position in global trade. This investment introduces new equipment, smarter terminal design, and advances our decarbonisation strategy.
“It also sharpens our focus on enhancing safety, service quality, delivery, and cost efficiency- all underpinned by Lean principles that help us continuously improve operations. Above all, it reaffirms our enduring commitment to Mexico and our partners, built on trust, transparency, and performance.’
Beatriz Yera, Managing Director of APM Terminals Mexico, added: “We are going to invest not only to contribute to Yucatán’s economic and commercial development, but also to share our expertise and create synergies with authorities, local businesses, and port service providers to make Puerto Progreso a benchmark for port innovation and technology-a more efficient and sustainable port for the benefit of Mexico and its people.”
APMT also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Yucatán state government to bring its expertise and best practices as a global terminal operator to support regional industrial growth.
Recently, APMT celebrated the signing of a contract with FCC for the first phase of an ambitious plan to modernise its facilities at the Port of Barcelona.
Port of Antwerp-Bruges trials autonomous freight truck
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has served as the setting for a series of demonstrations showcasing autonomous transport technologies currently being trialled in complex logistics environments.
A key milestone was reached with the first operation of a fully autonomous heavy-duty truck on public roads in Belgium.
Developed by Swedish technology firm Einride, the cables vehicle navigates using an integrated system of LIDAR, radar, and cameras, providing 360- degree situational awareness.
Transport operations are monitored remotely via an Al- powered control centre, allowing a single operator to oversee multiple vehicles.
Henrik Green, CTO and General Manager for Einride Autonomous Technologies, said:
Today in Antwerp, we show- case also how public and private, sectors can come together toward shared goals.
“European Ports, such as Antwerp-Bruges, are essential for decarbonising logistics and secure our supply chains; and with the European Commission acknowledging autonomous vehicles as key to EU competitiveness, we’re proud to show- case a clear example of how innovation and regulation can be balanced for safer, more efficient and sustainable logistics.”
The port of Antwerp-Bruges is testing a range of autonomous systems, including drones for monitoring and inspection, remotely piloted vehicles, and uncrewed or semiautonomous vessels.
These technologies are intended to enhance safety by reducing human exposure to high-risk and repetitive tasks, while also improving efficiency and lowering emissions.
The port has emerged as a preferred testing ground due to its operational complexity and scale.
Trials are being supported and by public and private sector collaboration, alongside regulatory efforts at the European, federal, and Flemish levels to create “sandbox” environments for emerging technologies.
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, tated: “With this event, we are demonstrating that autonomy in our port is not a distant concept.
Autonomous solutions are already making us smarter, safer and more sustainable today.
And that is exactly what we need to continue to strengthen our role as a world port.
After all, we want to be a gateway for goods, but also a gateway to the future.
The port’s ongoing focus on automation is closely tied to broader objectives around climate performance, cost control, and global competitiveness in the maritime and logistics sectors.
In July, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) delegation visited the Port of Antwerp- Bruges to advance cooperation on port operations, digital innovation, and sustainability.
Vietnam emerges as key hub for Russia, ASEAN
Vietnam is being positioned as a strategic transshipment hub for Southeast Asia, with Russian logistics firms expanding sea and rail routes to boost bilateral trade, reported Vietnam Net news agency.
Russia’s FESCO Transportation Group is leading efforts to develop Ho Chi Minh City port into a regional logistics centre.
Deputy CEO for Logistics German Maslov said the sea route linking Vladivostok with Vietnamese ports has proven effective, prompting strong business interest.
FESCO now operates three regular vessels on the route, up from one.
Cargo volume between Vietnam and Russia rose 16 percent in 2025, with ASEAN goods increasingly transshipped via Vietnamese ports.
New services to Saint Petersburg and Novorossiysk now allow Vietnamese exports to reach Russia’s three largest ports.
Maslov said Vietnam is now indispensable to FESCO’s logistics network.
Vietnam also connects regional routes to Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.
Cargo with Malaysia rose 66 percent, while trade with Indonesia doubled.
FESCO has opened a Vietnam office and is considering warehouses, terminals and joint ventures.
Vietnamese Consul General in Vladivostok Nguyen Viet
Kien said Russia’s Far East, which covers nearly 40 percent of the country, offers vast potential in minerals, land and seaports. Vladivostok connects directly to the BaikalAmur and Trans-Siberian rail- ways.
Despite the logistics growth, trade turnover remains modest at US$55 million in Q1 2025, with 90 percent from Vietnamese exports. Vietnam’s TH True Milk has invested in a 4,000-hectare dairy farm near Vladivostok.
Mr Kien urged Vietnamese firms to view Vladivostok as a strategic gateway to Russian and Eurasian markets. He said the region is set for increased investment following new priorities announced by President Vladimir Putin.
The Consulate General and Vietnam’s trade office in Vladivostok are ready to support Vietnamese businesses seeking expansion, he added.
US box imports hold firm despite China drop
US container imports remained strong in August 2025 despite falling volumes from China and ongoing tariff uncertainty, reported LA-area’s Global Trade.
American ports handled 2,519,722 TEU in August, down 3.9 percent from July but 1.6 percent higher than August 2024.
It marked the second consecutive month above the 2.4 million TEU threshold that typically strains port infrastructure.
Transit delays at major US ports rose only slightly, indicating continued resilience in the face of elevated volumes and policy disruption.
Imports from China fell to 869,523 TEU in August, a 5.8 percent month-on-month decline and 10.8 percent below last year.
Overall imports from the top 10 countries dropped 4.4 percent, led by South Korea (down 11.8 percent), Japan (down 14.5 percent), and Taiwan (down 12.9 percent).
Only India and Indonesia posted gains.
For the first eight months of 2025, total US containerised imports are 3.3 percent ahead of for the same period last year, reflecting steady demand despite global trade volatility.
Jackson Wood, Director of Industry Strategy at Descartes said the sustained import levels highlight the combined effects of tariff policy and seasonal factors.
He noted that legal disputes over key tariff measures, now before the Supreme Court, are adding uncertainty for importers.
Jinjiang Shipping orders up to four feeder vessels
Shanghai-listed Jinjiang Shipping has placed orders for up to four new feeder containerships as it seeks to reinforce its intra-Asia operations, reports Singapore’s Splash 247.
The carrier, controlled by Shanghai International Port Group, has committed to two firm 1,182 TEU vessels with options for two more.
Delivery is scheduled by 2027.
SUMEC Marine has been named as the preferred ship-yard, with Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry and Huanghai Shipbuilding listed as secondary options in the tender documents.
Each vessel will be 147.9 metres long, 23.25 metres wide, with a draft of 8.5 metres.
They will feature a design speed of 18.5 knots and be equipped with 145 reefer plugs.
Jinjiang ranks as the 35th largest liner operator globally, according to Alphaliner, with a fleet of 51 ships totalling around 56,400 TEU.
Of these, 26 are owned.
The company last ordered newbuilds in late 2021, acquiring two 1,900 TEU ships from Yangfan Zhoushan, delivered in 2024.
The latest move follows improved profitability and continued expansion across Asia South Asia and the Middle East.