Blog – Sobel Network Shipping Co., Inc.

Blog - page 8

Amid Uncertainty, Sliding Asia–U.S. Container Rates Reflect Global Trade Shifts

Container shipping rates along the Asia–U.S. trade lanes continue to fall amid weakening import demand and mounting geopolitical uncertainty. Ongoing tariff escalations and inflationary pressures are weighing heavily on international freight movements, reshaping global supply chain strategies. Recent data shows that Asia–U.S. West Coast spot rates fell 24% to $2,369 per forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU), […]

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U.S. Transportation Department Moves to Curb Mexican Airline Access Amid Cargo and Competition Disputes

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced plans to impose strict oversight and potential restrictions on Mexican airline operations in the United States, citing violations of the 2015 U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement and market disruptions caused by policy changes within Mexico’s aviation system. The DOT’s move follows concerns over the Mexican government’s 2023 decision […]

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U.S. Ends Tomato Trade Agreement with Mexico, Sparking Mixed Reactions

The recent termination of the longstanding tomato trade agreement between the U.S. and Mexico has drawn both praise and criticism across the agriculture and trade communities. Originally established to regulate the price and flow of Mexican-grown tomatoes into the U.S., the suspension agreement aimed to protect American growers from being undercut by lower-priced imports. As […]

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June Sees Import Rebound as West Coast Ports Surge Past East and Gulf

After a sharp dip in May, U.S. container import volumes rebounded modestly in June 2025 — signaling early signs of stabilization in global trade flows. According to data from Descartes, U.S. ports handled 2,217,675 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in June, up 1.8% month-over-month. While overall imports were still down 3.5% year-over-year, the year-to-date volume remains […]

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AI in Logistics: Building Network Resilience in a High-Risk Supply Chain Era

Modern supply chains are more interconnected than ever — and also more vulnerable. A single disruption can cascade through the entire network, affecting everything from air cargo to trucking. In this environment, network resilience isn’t just an IT concern — it’s a competitive advantage. To respond to ongoing challenges in visibility, agility, and sustainability, logistics […]

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Rising Shipping Costs from Asia to U.K. Pose Fresh Inflation Risks

Shipping costs between Asia and the United Kingdom have surged in recent months, creating new challenges for retailers and raising concerns about inflation just as central banks aim to lower interest rates. The average cost to move a 40-foot container from China to the U.K. has climbed roughly 60% in the past three months, reaching […]

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New Tariff Measures Announced on Copper, Pharmaceuticals, and Key Trading Partners

New tariff measures targeting critical sectors were announced this week, reflecting a continued shift toward aggressive trade enforcement and reciprocal duties across a wide range of goods and trading partners. During a cabinet meeting, the administration confirmed plans to implement a 50% tariff on copper imports and signaled the introduction of sharply higher tariffs—up to […]

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