News

Since the end of 2023, almost all major container shipping lines have avoided the route through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal due to ongoing security risks. Instead, they are bypassing the Cape of Good Hope - with a noticeable impact on transit times and freight rates. A recently surprisingly announced ceasefire is now raising new questions about a possible return to the original route.

From 15 April to 3 May 2025, the 137th Canton Fair will take place in Guangzhou (Canton), China - the largest import and export goods fair in China with around 250,000 visitors from over 200 countries, more than 15,000 exhibitors and an impressive trade volume of around USD 60 billion annually.

We at K&L Cargo Services will be on site for you at all three phases of the fair and look forward to welcoming you at our stand M21!

In response to the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports introduced by the USA on 12 March 2025, the European Union (EU) has announced comprehensive countermeasures in a press release.

At the turn of the year, numerous legal changes will come into force that will have an impact on operational procedures for companies in the freight forwarding and logistics sector:

A nationwide strike by Brazilian customs officers has paralysed operations at ports and airports, significantly disrupting import and export processes. While essential shipments like perishables and medications are still being cleared, delays are mounting for other goods. The strike stems from grievances over unmet promises for salary adjustments and career restructuring.

This week, works council meetings are scheduled at all container terminals in Hamburg, which will result in restrictions in the handling of freight trains and trucks, some of which may last for days.

The EUDR, formally known as Regulation (EU) 2023/1115, adopted on 9th June 2023, sets out detailed rules designed to prevent the importation and exportation of specific products linked to deforestation and forest degradation. EUDR affects internal EU trade as well as export and import to and from outside the European Union and requires European companies to prove that certain products traded by them were not produced on land that was deforested after 31 December 2020 or was subject to forest degradation. The Regulation will apply for most economic operators from 30th December 2024. Much of the practical implementation details, such as technical standards and specific guidelines for enforcement are still pending the adoption of secondary legislation in the form of implementing and delegated acts. These are expected to be published later in 2024.

Storm Yangi has intensified into a super typhoon as it churns towards China, making it possibly the strongest storm to hit the country in nearly a decade. Trains have ceased operating in Hainan and flights have been cancelled with the super typhoon bringing high winds and rain to the Chinese coast, having already left a trail of devastation in the Philippines.

The cargo in one of the containers may have played an important role in the explosion on a freighter in a Chinese harbour last Friday

The Australian Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry prescribes that export containers, flat racks and break bulk to Australia are to be treated to prevent the introduction of the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), which would cause major damage to the country's biodiversity. This also applies to New Zealand.

© 2025 KOPF & LÜBBEN GMBH

You are using an outdated browser. The website may not be displayed correctly. Close