English Blog Articles – Sobel Network Shipping Co., Inc.

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Retailers Brace for Import Declines Through Year-End as Tariffs Weigh on Trade

TEU volumes projected to slide 3.4% in 2025 despite strong summer peak U.S. retailers are warning of a slowdown in import cargo volumes through the remainder of 2025, as rising tariffs and persistent trade policy uncertainty cut into demand and complicate supply chain planning. According to the National Retail Federation’s Global Port Tracker, U.S. container […]

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Chinese Ports Show Resilience Amid Tariffs and Trade Volatility

China’s major seaports are demonstrating resilience despite a turbulent trading environment marked by tariffs, shifting supply chains, and geopolitical pressures. Recent data shows that cargo volumes, capital investment, and automation initiatives continue to expand, reinforcing China’s role as a cornerstone of global trade. Trade PerformanceAccording to official customs data, the value of China’s foreign trade […]

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Tariff Pressures and Vessel Swaps Disrupt Trans-Pacific Rate Trends

Container shipping rates on Asia–U.S. trade lanes shifted downward after weeks of steady gains, as carriers adjusted fleets and schedules in response to upcoming U.S. port fees and broader trade uncertainty. As of September 11, average spot rates stood at $2,322 per forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU) from the Far East to the U.S. West Coast, […]

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AI Startup Raises $85M to Build ChatGPT-Like Assistant for Freight Operations

San Francisco-based startup Augment has secured $85 million in fresh funding, bringing its total raised to $110 million in under half a year. The Series A round, led by Redpoint Ventures with participation from several logistics- and tech-focused investors, underscores how rapidly artificial intelligence is moving into the freight and supply chain sector. The company’s […]

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AI Startups Secure $129 Million to Transform Freight Operations

Artificial intelligence continues to gain traction across logistics, with two recent funding rounds underscoring the technology’s growing role in freight decision-making and automation. Startups focused on workflow optimization and digital coordination have collectively raised $129 million, signaling strong investor confidence that AI solutions will reshape the way shippers, brokers, and carriers manage operations. One firm […]

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Labor Disputes Disrupt KLM Cargo Operations as Ground Workers Strike

Ground staff strikes at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport forced KLM to cancel more than 100 flights on Wednesday, disrupting both passenger travel and cargo shipments. The two-hour work stoppage, staged between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., highlighted unresolved labor disputes that could escalate further with a longer strike already planned for next week. The airline confirmed […]

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Importers Face Heightened Scrutiny as CBP Issues More CF-28 Requests

U.S. importers are facing increased scrutiny from Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as trade attorneys report a noticeable rise in the issuance of CF-28 forms—official requests for additional information about entry filings. The trend, discussed during a series of industry webinars this week, highlights CBP’s growing focus on compliance with duty collection and trade regulations. […]

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Amazon Air Expands Third-Party Cargo Services to Dominican Republic

Amazon’s private cargo airline has launched its first Caribbean route, extending its wholesale air cargo services to the Dominican Republic as part of its growing third-party logistics business. Miami-based ALK Global Logistics confirmed it has begun booking customer shipments to and from Santo Domingo on Amazon Air’s Boeing 767-300 freighters. The route operates with seven […]

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Mexico Unveils $22B Port Overhaul to Anchor Nearshoring Push

Mexico Launches $22B Port Modernization ProgramMexico has announced a sweeping $22 billion investment plan to expand and modernize its seaport infrastructure over the next six years, positioning ports as the backbone of the nation’s nearshoring strategy. The program combines public and private capital and spans major Pacific and Gulf hubs, including Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas, Veracruz, […]

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CBP Issues Updated Guidance on Reciprocal Tariff Exemptions

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released updated guidance on products exempted from reciprocal tariffs, following a Sept. 5 executive order modifying the scope of earlier trade measures. The update affects merchandise covered under Executive Order 14257, originally issued in April to impose reciprocal tariffs on a wide range of imports. The Sept. 5 order […]

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