Our global freight forwarding network keeps our customers freight moving across the world.

Capacity squeeze looms as Panama Canal restrictions tighten

CMA CGM has postponed its $150 per teu Low Water Surcharge on cargo moving from South America's west coast through the Panama Canal, where more restrictions on draught and transits are expected. The French carrier had announced the surcharge would take effect on 1 September, but told customers yesterday it was pushing the start date back to 1 October. The charge will apply to all cargo from South America's west coast to North Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Middle East Gulf, Red Sea, South Africa, West Africa, Central America east coast, Caribbean, Leeward and Windward islands, Mexico's east coast, US east coast, US Gulf, and Canada's east coast. Industry consultant Lars Jensen commented: "Strictly speaking, the 1 September date was announced just three days ago, making this seem more like an initial miscommunication of the implementation date." The move comes as restrictions on Panama Canal transits are expected to tighten, with implications for container vessel capacity. Braemar analyst Jonathan Roach said: "This time the issue is not simply fewer transit slots. It is fewer slots and less cargo per ship." From 2 September, the maximum permitted draught for neopanamax vessels will be 14.63 metres, dropping to 14.48 metres from 1 October. The number of daily transits is also expected to fall, from 36 to 34, on 3 September and then to 32 from 15 September, although this is subject to change. Braemar's July data recorded 189 neopanamax transits, 85 of which - involving 78 individual vessels - were by ships drawing 15 metres or more. That means around 45% of neopanamax transits could be affected by the new draught restrictions, representing about 55% of nominal teu capacity moving through the neopanamax locks. "The immediate response is likely to be less cargo, rather than fewer ships," said Mr Roach. "Vessels can remain on their existing services, but may have to sail below their normal intake to meet the draught restriction." A further reduction in daily transits could bar some ships from the canal altogether, while queues and delays compound the effective capacity loss. If conditions deteriorate, carriers could consider diverting Asia-US east coast services around the Cape of Good Hope, adding roughly 30% to transit times and tying up vessels for longer. "The Panama Canal does not need to close to disrupt container shipping; it only needs to become a little less deep and a little less available," warned Mr Roach. And he noted that the capacity squeeze could extend beyond the canal, as cargo displaced from Panama would have to be absorbed elsewhere in the global fleet.

Cainiao strengthens cross-border customs clearance capabilities in Mexico

Chinese e-commerce logistics and technology company Cainiao has strengthened its customs clearance capabilities in Mexico for cross-border customers. By combining customs clearance with last-mile delivery, parcels can move through Cainiao's network with better visibility and tighter control over exceptions, helping reduce delays and risks caused by multiple handoffs, said the company. Since entering the Mexican market in 2024, Cainiao has continued to expand its local network and now operates a 20,000 sq m sorting centre and 38 consolidation and delivery stations. Located near Felipe Ángeles International Airport, a major cargo hub in Mexico, the sorting centre supports faster inbound transfer and parcel processing. Cainiao plans to add more automation at the facility to further improve sorting efficiency and peak-season capacity. The company said it has also built strong partnerships with major cross-border and local e-commerce platforms and brands, including Inditex, Mercado Libre, Temu and TikTok. Earlier this month, Cainiao launched a cross-border logistics service that enables parcels to be delivered within three calendar days on 15 international routes. The company has also announced that its local express network in Mexico has expanded from 20 states to nationwide coverage. The company has also launched local pickup services in Mexico City and the State of Mexico. Major areas in Mexico City and the State of Mexico now offer two-day delivery, while key cities in other parts of the country can be served within three days. The company is using AI-powered dispatching, route planning, address recognition and image recognition technologies to improve last-mile accuracy and fulfilment reliability. Shen Jianfeng, vice president of Cainiao, said Mexico's logistics market is seeing growing and more diverse demand. He said cross-border sellers increasingly need stable, compliant customs clearance and a more controllable end-to-end fulfilment process, while the rapid growth of local e-commerce has raised domestic sellers' expectations for broader coverage, faster delivery and more precise service. "Mexico's cross-border and domestic e-commerce sectors are both growing rapidly, making the market a key focus for Cainiao. We will continue to strengthen our local network and team capabilities," Jianfeng added.

Warning to shippers after theft of hi-tech cargo in Q2 passes $300m

The theft of high-value technology being shipped in the US is increasingly being driven by diversified transnational criminal enterprises using the same illicit logistics networks that move narcotics, weapons, and people. According to supply chain intelligence company Overhaul, thefts involving data centre equipment, computing components, and chips have increased by 38% since 2024, while the total value of goods stolen has risen by more than 110%. Individual losses regularly exceed $30m, with one theft surpassing $100m and Overhaul warned that crime on this scale was now occurring weekly. Its data show deception was involved in 92% of affected shipments, criminals using fraudulent carrier identities, double-brokering, spoof communications, and falsified paperwork. Industry-wide cargo theft losses were more than $304m in Q2 this year - more than double last year - despite the number of incidents falling 26%. In the US, theft activity seems concentrated in California, with numerous incidents also reported in Texas, Mississippi, Florida, and Illinois. Internationally, events tend to cluster around established narcotics corridors, particularly in the Netherlands and Guadalajara. Overhaul estimated that 60% to 70% of loads stolen in the US leave the country, components moving to China, Russia, and Iran. Export controls have created scarcity and see computer components trading on the black market at roughly twice their domestic price. Its report also warned that criminals were still increasingly prepared to use violence. Two recent California highway incidents involved thieves deliberately colliding with security vehicles escorting high-value tech shipments. In both cases, the escort was halted while the shipment continued, resulting in the loss of the load. Neither truck has been recovered. Overhaul said each attack required a fraudulent carrier identity, a driver prepared to flee, a chase vehicle positioned along the route, and synchronised timing, suggesting increasingly sophisticated and coordinated operations as average load values rise. The company recommended shippers handling high-demand or high-value products rigorously vet brokers and carriers, and document every driver, tractor, and trailer arriving for collection. These measures should include photographing identifying markings, including the vehicle's VIN, as well as the driver and CDL, and check details against information supplied before arrival.