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China-Europe freighter capacity down nearly 30%

China-to-Europe freighter capacity is down nearly 30% from June due to a reduction in e-commerce imports into Europe, shows new data from Rotate. E-commerce imports into Europe in July dropped 24% in July drop compared to June. This followed the EU's introduction on 1 July of a €3 customs duty on low-value parcels imported from outside the EU. As a result, direct China-Europe freighter capacity immediately fell 10% compared to June levels. Now, China-to-Europe freighter capacity is consistently 28% below June levels and "no clear sign of recovery", said Rotate. Alongside this, according to the latest data from TAC Index, rates on the busiest lanes out of China to Europe have become firmer, even as volumes have been under pressure due to the EU customs duty. Overall utilisation down While has been some rerouting to the transpacific, overall global freighter utilisation is down as most lost capacity has not been redeployed elsewhere, said Rotate. In the case of Boeing 747-400Fs, which typically fly ad hoc, utilisation is down by 13.8%. Freighter capacity declines are concentrated in e-commerce gateways. In Europe, Madrid is down 78%, Budapest is down 58% and Liege is down 35%. Meanwhile, in China, freighter capacity at Ürümqi Tianshan International Airport is down 72%, and 28% at Hong Kong. Despite how the e-commerce market has changed to date, e-commerce shipping may recover within 12 months, suggests Rotate. This has been the case in the US, which ended de minimis treatment for shipments from China and Hong Kong on 2 May 2025 and globally on 29 August 2025, and Brazil, which ended de minimis on 1 August 2024.

Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia plan coordinated response to box ship fires

Singapore is seeking closer cooperation with Malaysia and Indonesia to improve regional response to containership fires. Cargo-related incidents aboard box ships have become an increasing concern for the maritime industry. The move was outlined at the 17th Cooperation Forum in Singapore yesterday, where the three countries discussed navigation safety and marine environmental protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. Singapore's minister for transport, Jeffrey Siow (pictured), said when incidents happened, rapid coordination among relevant authorities was critical to saving lives, limiting environmental damage, and keeping vital shipping routes operational. He said: "In recent years, we have also observed more cargo fires on containerships. Despite our best efforts, marine accidents will occur......When they do, rapid and coordinated action can save lives, limit pollution, and keep the waterway open for others." One of the most recent containership fires was in Singapore, on Evergreen-owned 9,226 teu Ever Lenient on 10 April, while the vessel was docked at the Pasir Panjang Terminal. The crew and firefighters extinguished the flames. Nearly a quarter of global seaborne trade passes through the Straits of Singapore and Malacca. Against this backdrop, Singapore plans a trilateral procedure covering three key areas: the management and notification of maritime incidents; procedures for identifying containers that are lost overboard; and vessels that have sunk. Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore CEO Ang Wee Keong said more vessel movements, larger ships, and changing cargo profiles were making navigation in the straits more challenging. He said: "We must continue to anticipate new challenges and adapt our approac accordingly." Allianz Commercial said in its Safety and Shipping Review 2026, more than 200 vessel fire incidents were recorded in 2025, the second-highest annual total in the past decade. The insurer said misdeclared cargo comprised nearly 25% of cargo-related incidents, with batteries and chemicals among the most common causes of fires. Allianz also said that last year, lithium-ion battery cargo volumes were six times higher than five years earlier, and that demand was expected to double again by 2030.

Etihad Cargo appoints AVIAREPS as GSA in Uzbekistan

Etihad Cargo has appointed AVIAREPS as its cargo general sales agent (GSA) in Uzbekistan following the recent launch of Etihad Airways' passenger flights between Abu Dhabi, UAE and Tashkent. With immediate effect, AVIAREPS will support Etihad Cargo's commercial growth in Uzbekistan through dedicated cargo sales, customer service, reservations and local market development. Under the new agreement, AVIAREPS will promote and sell Etihad Cargo's air transportation services to cargo agents, freight forwarders and customers in Uzbekistan. The scope includes cargo reservations and booking administration, customer and post- sales support, sales visits, quotation and tender support, distribution of approved timetables, tariffs and promotional materials, sales reporting, and regular market insight. As part of its operational responsibilities, AVIAREPS will act as a local point of contact for customers and cargo agents, coordinate with ground handling partners where required, support shipment-related administration, and assist with the roll-out of electronic AWB implementation in the market. The appointment further strengthens AVIAREPS' long-standing partnership with Etihad as it already acts as a cargo GSA for Etihad Airways in two countries and as a passenger GSA in 18 markets across Asia and Europe, including recent appointments in Romania, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Armenia and Georgia, in addition to existing partnerships in the Baltic and Nordic European countries and the Philippines. Frederick Overton, global head of cargo at AVIAREPS, said: "We are proud to further strengthen our partnership with Etihad through the new cargo appointment in Uzbekistan. "The launch of Abu Dhabi-Tashkent flights creates strong potential for cargo development between Uzbekistan, the UAE and Etihad Cargo's wider global network. "With our local market expertise, cargo know-how and established relationships with freight forwarders and cargo agents, we look forward to supporting Etihad Cargo's commercial growth and customer engagement in the market." Grant Kemp, regional general manager at Etihad, added: "Uzbekistan is an important addition to Etihad's expanding network, and the appointment of AVIAREPS as our Cargo General Sales Agent will support our commercial development and service offering in the market. "AVIAREPS' local presence, cargo sales experience and strong customer relationships make them a valuable partner as we continue to grow our cargo activities and strengthen connectivity through Abu Dhabi."