Baltimore port had second-highest year for cargo volume in 2024

Marking its second-highest year on record, the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore handled 45.9 million tons of cargo in 2024.  This achievement comes even after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge last March, as the mid-Atlantic shipping gateway recovers. A record high 52.3 million tons were handled at the port in 2023 including close to 900,000 tons of roll on/roll off construction equipment and farming machinery. The new bridge designs have been developed and construction is scheduled to be completed in 2028. (More at: FreightWaves, “Port of Baltimore had a banner year …” By Elizabeth Worthington, 2/27/2025)

With rising cybercrime, FIDI reports frequent phishing incidents affecting Affiliates, particularly digital invoicing scams. Fraudsters manipulate payment details, causing financial losses. Known as invoice fraud, this scam involves falsified invoices appearing to be from legitimate suppliers but with altered bank details. Unsuspecting companies unknowingly transfer funds to scammers. Businesses must remain vigilant to prevent such attacks. (More at: FIDI FOCUS, Business, FIDI Service,1/8/2025)

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The port of Rotterdam faces continued disruption due to a labor dispute at Hutchison Ports’ Delta II Terminal. A two-day strike, followed by work slowdowns, forced Maersk to skip a call and caused 48-hour delays for Kuehne + Nagel customers. A Hutchison spokesperson stated that actions, ranging from slowdowns to full strikes, are unpredictable, making disruption hard to estimate. Workers from FNV Havens and CNV unions have been protesting port automation since last year. Sources indicate that the dispute worsens existing congestion, with terminals full and refusing new containers unless equivalent volumes are moved out. (More at THELOADSTAR, “Port of Rotterdam braces for more disruption …” By Alexander Whiteman, February 14, 2025)

The maritime industry is essential for global trade, with over 90% of goods transported by sea. The global merchant fleet consists of more than 106,700 ships, including 12,309 oil tankers, 13,182 bulk carriers, 20,553 general cargo ships, and 5,855 containerships. Asia dominates the industry, with 50,688 vessels, while the shipping industry employs over a million seafarers worldwide. Greece, Japan, and China lead in global carrying capacity, with Greece at 364 million DWT (17.77% of world’s capacity), Japan at 233.1 million DWT (11.38%), and China at 228.4million DWT (11.15%). In fleet market value, Japan ranks first at $108 billion, followed by Greece ($100.5B) and China ($88B). Other top nations follow including Singapore ($44B), Norway ($39B), South Korea ($36.2B), and the U.S. ($33B).These nations play a crucial role in international trade, ensuring smooth transport of goods and connecting markets worldwide. (Virtue Marine, “Top Maritime Nations – ...” Updated: 12/28/2024)

CMA CGM has announced peak season surcharges on Northern Europe–U.S., Canada, and Mexico trade lanes, beginning March 1. These surcharges follow a seasonal shipping slowdown after Lunar New Year and may be driven by anticipated shifts in sourcing due to U.S. tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada. Importers may also be frontloading shipments to avoid potential European tariff threats. Additionally, congestion at European ports could further impact regional logistics. FreightWaves reports that surcharges are $900 per 20-foot dry container and $1,000 per 40-foot, 40-foot-high cube, and 45-foot containers, increasing shipping costs for businesses on these trade routes. (See FreightWaves, “CMA CGM sets peak surcharges for …” By Stuart Chirls, 2/04/2025)

President Donald Trump reiterated claims that China controls the Panama Canal in his inaugural address

Trump further threatened to reclaim it by force over alleged “exorbitant” transit fees—a claim Panama rejects. While no public evidence suggests direct Chinese government control, China’s notable investments in canal-adjacent ports and terminals (5) have raised concerns among U.S. officials. Chinese companies, including Hutchison Port Holdings (sub of HK-based CK Hutchison Holdings), operate two key ports, Balboa & Cristóbal, on the canal's Pacific and Atlantic sides. This presence has worried Washington about potential Chinese influence, as these ports handle strategic information about vessels transiting the canal, while China’s economic foothold underscores its growing regional/global influence, particularly in critical trade and transport hubs. (BBC World Service, “Does China ‘operate’ the Panama Canal”, Shawn Yuan, 1-22-2025) (Related: “New alerts on Chinese port cranes ..”)

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