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

Major carriers carving out designer networks to avoid competing on routes

Container shipping alliances are increasingly carving out distinct network niches, rather than competing head-to-head on the same port pairs, according to new analysis from Sea-Intelligence. It examined direct port-pair connections operated in July by the Gemini Cooperation, MSC, and the Ocean and Premier alliances; MSC is not formally part of an alliance but was included because of the scale of its standalone network. The consultant found 54% of the port-pair connections offered by alliances on the transpacific are served by just one grouping, rising to 65% on Asia-Europe. "This shows a high degree of specialised connections in an otherwise commoditised market," commented Sea-Intelligence. On the transpacific, the Ocean Alliance has the broadest direct network, covering 169 unique port pairs and generating 748 connections - an average of 4.4 connections per pair. The Premier Alliance has 116 unique pairs but has the highest frequency, at 5.2 connections per pair. Gemini offers 70 unique pairs at an average 4.8 connections, while MSC has the leanest network, with 84 pairs and an average 2.6 connections per pair. On Asia-Europe: MSC expands to 241 unique port pairs, averaging 4.1 connections per pair; Ocean Alliance covers 235 pairs at 4.9 connections; while Gemini and Premier cover 106 and 122 pairs respectively. The degree of overlap is particularly low on Asia-Europe; just 21% of port pairs are offered by two alliances, 9% by three, and only 5% by all four. On the transpacific, 24% of pairs are shared by two alliances, 16% by three, and 7% by all four. Among exclusive transpacific port pairs, Ocean accounts for 51%, followed by Premier at 26%, MSC at 15% and Gemini at 8%. On Asia-Europe, MSC accounts for 40% of exclusive port pairs, Ocean 34%, Gemini 16% and Premier 10%. The analysis also highlighted sharply different regional strategies: the Premier Alliance directs 78% of its unique transpacific port pairs to the North American west coast; MSC puts 80% of its unique connections on the east coast; the Ocean Alliance and Gemini also favour the east coast, at 65% and 64% respectively. On Asia-Europe: Gemini, Ocean and Premier concentrate 72%, 67%, and 67% respectively of their unique port pairs in the Mediterranean; MSC again stands apart, splitting its specialised coverage almost evenly between North Europe and the Mediterranean, at 49% and 51%. Sea-Intelligence said the findings suggested the "carrier alliances are designing highly specialised direct networks to differentiate their commercial products", rather than simply duplicating competing services. However, in a recent episode of The Loadstar News in Brief Podcast, director of the Global Shipper's Forum James Hookham highlighted the "monopolistic aspect" of alliances on certain trades, and the lack of choice this presented shippers in the instance of low schedule reliabilty or unfair surcharges.

China set to open Pinglu Canal - its new shortcut to South-East Asia

China is plotting a shortcut for shipping from its south-west region to South-east Asia with the opening of the Pinglu Canal on 15 September. The $10.8bn waterway connects Nanning, in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, to Beibu Gulf, between China and Vietnam. South-east Asia is now China's largest trading partner, with $766bn of trade in the first seven months of 2026. China's Maritime Safety Administration today released a nautical chart covering the approaches to the Pinglu Canal, as navigation aids along the canal's seaward section were put in place, completing the maritime safety system covering both channel markings and charting. Described as a "project of the century," the 134.2 km canal is a key component of China's 'New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor'. It is also the first canal in China to have been planned at national level since the founding of the people's republic in 1949. The new nautical chart covers a 22km newly constructed coastal stretch from Qinjiang Bridge, on the G75 Lanhai Expressway, through the Longmen Bridge area, to the connection with Qinzhou Port, and is linked with the existing port charts, creating continuous coverage of the Qinzhou harbour area in Beibu Gulf. China hopes to accelerate cargo flows and decrease shipping costs to South-east Asia, and the canal's opening coincides with the 23rd China-Asean Expo, scheduled for 17-21 September, in Nanning. Currently, goods are trucked from Nanning to Qinzhou port and this costs around $387 per 40ft. Feedering or barging goods along the canal could halve the costs. To improve navigational safety, the South China Sea Aids to Navigation Centre, under the Ministry of Transport, has installed 127 navigation marks along the canal's coastal waters. These include lighted buoys, bridge navigation markers, beacons, and pipeline markers designed to provide vessels with clear and accurate guidance, particularly when navigating beneath bridges. The Pinglu Canal was designed to accommodate vessels weighing up to 5,000 tonnes.

Airforwarders Association calls for US-Canada to resume trade talks

The Airforwarders Association (AfA) is urging policymakers in the US and Canada to resume trade talks before Canadian retaliatory tariffs covering 27.6bn of US imports take effect on 8 September. "Another round of tariffs will add costs for businesses moving goods across one of the world's most important trading borders, with consequences for supply chains, investment, and jobs," said Brandon Fried, executive director, AfA. "Both governments need to get back around the negotiating table before this dispute escalates further." An AfA member survey published in February found 83% of forwarders had suffered reduced shipping volumes as a direct result of US import tariffs, while more than half reported changes to customer supply chains and shipping routes. "Forwarders are already seeing what prolonged trade uncertainty means on the ground, and further tariffs risk putting additional pressure on costs, prices, and employment," said Fried. The dispute comes amid continuing uncertainty over the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which underpins nearly $2trn in annual US goods and services trade within North America. "The United States, Canada, and Mexico have built highly integrated economies and supply chains, and preserving that relationship matters for businesses and consumers across the continent," said Fried. "Disagreements will arise, but they should be resolved through negotiation rather than an escalating cycle of tariffs." The AfA said it will continue engaging with policymakers on trade policy and its impact on freight forwarders, their customers, and the wider US economy.