China has opened a new Arctic shipping corridor to Europe, with the 4,890-TEU Istanbul Bridge expected to complete the journey in 18 days, reported Newsweek.

The route, dubbed "Arctic Express" by Beijing, links Chinese ports including Ningbo, Shanghai, Qingdao and Dalian with European destinations such as Rotterdam, Hamburg and Gdansk. It offers a faster alternative to traditional sea lanes via the Suez Canal and Cape of Good Hope, which take 40 to 50 days.



The Liberian-flagged Istanbul Bridge, operated by Sea Legend and Haijie Shipping, departed Ningbo-Zhoushan Port on September 22 bound for Felixstowe.



Zhou Chujing, logistics procurement manager at Shanghai-based Sigenergy, said the route's shorter transit time benefits the entire supply chain. Chinese analysts also noted the safety advantage of bypassing congested choke points such as the Red Sea.



Climate change has melted sea ice along the Northeast Passage, enabling navigation through previously blocked Arctic waters. Analysts say the region is becoming a geopolitical hotspot, with China and Russia increasing their presence.



Malte Humpert of the Arctic Institute said the melting Arctic is attracting global interest. Beijing, which refers to itself as a "near-Arctic state," is signalling its intent to establish regular service through the corridor.

Seafarer morale has dropped sharply in the third quarter of 2025, with the Seafarers Happiness Index falling to 7.05 from 7.54, reports Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.

The Mission to Seafarers said most indicators of life at sea are deteriorating, including wages, health, training, food quality and workload. Only digital connectivity showed improvement.



Training satisfaction saw the steepest decline, dropping to 6.99 from 7.75, as seafarers criticised compliance-driven learning that lacks mentorship and skills development.



Crews reported stagnant wages despite rising responsibilities and inflation. Operational pressures are also affecting physical health and limiting shore leave opportunities.



Crew relations, historically the highest-scoring category, fell to 7.68 from 8.12. Manning levels remain low, administrative burdens are rising, and fatigue management is still unresolved.



Containership crews reported the highest happiness levels, followed by bulk carriers and cruise ships. Offshore, ro-ro and ferry crews were the least satisfied.



Programme director Ben Bailey said the findings are a warning to the industry. Without systemic reforms, the sector risks worsening its recruitment crisis and undermining global trade stability.

The president of MSC's US operations says a lack of new port projects could hinder future cargo growth, reports New York's Journal of Commerce.

Fabio Santucci called for better use of existing terminal space and more greenfield development to support long-term import growth, which he said is vital in a consumer-driven economy.



Speaking at the South Carolina International Trade Conference, Mr Santucci said ports like Charleston must invest in densification and operational efficiency, as few new terminals are being developed.



MSC is building terminals in New Orleans and Baltimore and, through its Terminal Investment Limited, could become the world's largest terminal operator if its US$23 billion acquisition of Hutchison Port Holdings is finalised.



While US ports managed import surges earlier this year, Mr Santucci said landside inefficiencies still cause costly vessel delays. He stressed the need for improved performance to avoid anchorage bottlenecks.



MSC's volume through Charleston rose 15 per cent this year, far outpacing the port's overall 0.5 per cent growth in laden imports between January and August, according to PIERS data.



Mr Santucci said industrial and population growth in the US Southeast, particularly Charleston, positions the region for continued expansion. MSC recently opened an expanded campus in the city.



SC Port Authority chief Micah Mallace said Charleston has sufficient terminal capacity and will focus on short-term projects to support future growth. The Leatherman terminal, opened in 2021, was the first new US terminal since 2009.

LNG is emerging as the leading alternative fuel for container shipping, with orders for LNG-fuelled vessels surging amid stalled decarbonisation efforts at the UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO), reported New York's Journal of Commerce.

The number of LNG-capable container ships on order rose from 194 in late 2023 to 362 by mid-October, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. These vessels now represent 40 per cent of the orderbook, up from 23 per cent, while methanol-fuelled ships remain at 15 per cent.



A senior carrier executive said LNG had already become the mainstream choice for new orders, citing improved well-to-tank data and the potential for fossil, bio and synthetic LNG pathways.



LNG can cut carbon emissions by up to 20 per cent, according to the American Bureau of Shipping. It is also more widely available than methanol, which remains costly and in short supply. Maersk recently shifted its next round of 50-60 vessels from methanol to LNG.



All LNG ships on order feature dual-fuel engines, allowing operators to switch between LNG and traditional bunkers. Usage varies, with some ships burning LNG only 5-10 per cent of the time, while others reach 50 per cent.



Dual-fuel container and vehicle carriers account for 79 per cent of the current orderbook, compared with 14 per cent for tankers and bulkers, according to the World Shipping Council.



LNG bunkering poses operational challenges. Tanks must be cooled to -162C, and re-cooling can idle ships for three days. Contracts with suppliers require one month's notice and carry high cancellation fees, said Solvens Advisory chief executive Nils Roche.



Despite these hurdles, LNG's flexibility and availability make it a viable transitional fuel. Solutions to reduce methane emissions are advancing, including a 93.8 per cent reduction achieved by a consortium led by Mitsui OSK Lines.

China and the US have agreed to suspend newly imposed trade restrictions for one year, easing tensions over critical mineral exports, reports Caixin.

The agreement followed the meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump in Busan. Both sides confirmed a temporary halt to measures including Washington's "50 per cent ownership rule" and Beijing's curbs on rare earths, lithium battery components and graphite.



The truce averts immediate disruption to global supply chains but underscores the strategic importance of rare earths and other minerals. These materials are essential for military equipment, wind turbines, electric vehicles and smartphones.



The US is accelerating efforts to build alternative supply chains with Asian partners, while China continues to consolidate control over upstream production and related technologies.



The one-year pause offers breathing room, but also highlights how minerals once seen as industrial inputs have become tools of geopolitical influence.

China now accounts for nearly three quarters of global containership capacity on order, cementing its dominance in the sector, reports London's Lloyd's List.

According to Alphaliner, Chinese shipyards hold 73.7 per cent of the global boxship orderbook, representing 7.36 million TEU. The global backlog has surpassed 10 million TEU, or 31.1 per cent of the active fleet.



South Korea follows with 20.5 per cent of capacity on order, or 2.04 million TEU, while Japan holds 4.3 per cent, or 430,000 TEU. Together, the three East Asian nations account for 98.5 per cent of all new containership capacity on order.



Orders outside East Asia remain rare and are often driven by geopolitical or regulatory factors. Taiwan's CSBC is building 12 methanol dual-fuel ships for Wan Hai Lines, with options for four more.



Evergreen is reportedly preparing to order 14 LNG dual-fuel, 14,000-TEU ships, split between Guangzhou Shipyard International and Samsung Heavy Industries. The carrier has historically placed fewer orders in China than its peers.



In Turkey, Sedef shipyard is building two 4,000-TEU ships for Turkon Line and two 650- TEU feeders for A2B-online. India's Cochin Shipyard is constructing two 730-TEU hybrid-propulsion ships for Samskip and may build six LNG-fuelled ships for CMA CGM.



In the US, Matson has ordered three 3,600-TEU gas-fuelled ships from HanwhaPhilly Shipyard. These vessels, built under Jones Act requirements, cost around five times more than similar ships from China.

The 17,859-TEU CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin is poised to transit the Suez Canal, potentially becoming the first alliance-operated Asia-Europe vessel to re-enter the Red Sea route since early 2024, reports London's Lloyd's List.

The Maltese flagged ship approaching Alexandria after departing Southampton. Its AIS destination is listed as Port Klang, Malaysia, with arrival expected on November 15.



The ship operates on the NEU4 service of the Ocean Alliance, which includes CMA CGM, Cosco Shipping and Evergreen. On its westbound leg, the vessel sailed around the Cape of Good Hope, a route commonly used since the Red Sea crisis began.



The move may signal cautious testing of Red Sea transits by ultra large boxships, which have largely avoided the region due to Houthi attacks on merchant shipping. CMA CGM has maintained limited sailings under French naval escort.



Lloyd's List Intelligence data show containership traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has increased slightly in 2025 but remains far below pre-crisis levels. For ships above 14,000-TEU, only 13 transits by six vessels were recorded in the first nine months, all operated by CMA CGM on Asia-Mediterranean routes.

CMA CGM has enhanced its barge service between Lyon and Fos Eurofos and Seayard 2XL Terminals via the Lyon Rhône Terminal, reported London's Port Technology International.

The improved service aims to strengthen competitiveness and operational efficiency across the Rhône-Alpes region. It supports modal shift and reduces environmental impact, complementing CMA CGM's rail service through the Northern Port Corridor.



The barge route now offers daily departures in both directions, enabling two-day intermodal transit times to Lyon and nearby areas. The service also connects directly to six major maritime services on global trade routes.



CMA CGM recently signed a Term Sheet with Red Sea Gateway Terminal for a potential joint venture to develop and operate Terminal 4 at Jeddah Islamic Port.

The Port of Tokyo handled 2.42 million TEUs in the first half of 2025, a 6.5 per cent year-on-year increase, reported London's Port Technology International.

Oceangoing containers made up 2.12 million TEUs, with exports reaching 940,000 TEUs, up 2.6 per cent, and imports totalling 1.18 million TEUs, up 7.1 per cent. Domestic container traffic rose 18.3 per cent to 300,000 TEUs.



International cargo volume reached 22.74 million tonnes, up 2.8 per cent. Exports fell 5.2 per cent to 5.26 million tonnes, while imports rose 5.4 per cent to 17.48 million tonnes, led by shipments from China and Vietnam.



Domestic cargo totalled 18.81 million tonnes, with outbound shipments up 3 per cent to 7.06 million tonnes and inbound volumes down 0.7 per cent to 11.74 million tonnes. Key commodities included heavy oil, gravel, sand and cement.



Vessel calls declined 3.6 per cent to 10,129, with total gross tonnage down 3.1 per cent to 75.49 million tonnes.



Growth at Shanghai and Ningbo-Zhoushan ports further supported Asia's maritime momentum, complementing Tokyo's strong first-half performance.

Kandla Terminal achieved a historic throughput of 60,708 TEUs in October 2025, marking a major operational milestone, reported New Delhi's Asian News International.

The Deendayal Port Authority said the achievement reflects the terminal's growing efficiency and capacity to handle containerised cargo. The figure represents the highest monthly volume ever recorded at the facility.



Deendayal Port Authority Chairman lauded the performance, attributing the success to improved logistics coordination, infrastructure upgrades and the dedication of port personnel.



The port continues to play a key role in supporting India's maritime trade, with Kandla serving as a strategic gateway for container traffic on the western coast.

The Malaysian government will draft a policy paper to transform Kuala Lumpur International Airport into a regional air cargo hub, reports Free Malaysia Today.

Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook said KLIA handles only one-third of Singapore's Changi Airport cargo volume despite having greater physical capacity. He cited slow customs clearance and lengthy loading and transfer times as key weaknesses.



Speaking after a closed-door meeting with the National Logistics Task Force, Mr Loke said the initiative requires cooperation from the finance ministry's customs department and other agencies to streamline regulations and improve efficiency.



The meeting also addressed plans to shift freight transport from road to rail to reduce congestion, heavy vehicle accidents and carbon emissions. The government aims to raise rail freight's share from one per cent to at least 10 per cent.



Bulk materials such as minerals, coal, cement and bricks are targeted for rail transport. Loke said reducing heavy lorry traffic is a priority.



Improvements to first-mile and last-mile connectivity are underway, including leasing more locomotives and wagons and building new spur lines to link rail terminals with industrial zones.



Mr Loke assured hauliers that their role remains vital, as truck deliveries will still be needed for first and last-mile logistics. He said industry associations support the shift to rail.

Korean Air has ordered seven Airbus A350 freighters after converting part of its A350-1000 passenger jet order, reported Montreal's SimpleFlying.

Airbus confirmed the South Korean flag carrier's decision to switch seven A350-1000s to the cargo variant, marking a new chapter in its freight operations. The A350F features the industry's largest main cargo deck door and is designed for efficiency in the large freighter segment.



Korean Air currently operates only Boeing freighters, including four 747-400ERFs, seven 747-8Fs and 12 777-200Fs. The A350F order signals a diversification of its cargo fleet and a return to Airbus freighters, which it last flew in 2009.



Airbus executive vice president Benoît de Saint-Exupery said the deal reflects Korean Air's status as one of the world's largest cargo operators, leveraging its strategic location to serve Asia and North America.



The A350F programme, launched in 2021, has gained traction despite early supply chain setbacks. By September 2025, Airbus had secured 65 orders from 10 airlines and one lessor. The aircraft is expected to enter service in 2027.



Korean Air's passenger fleet includes two A350-900s and a revised order of 20 A350-1000s. The airline initially ordered 27 A350-1000s and six A350-900s in March 2024 for US$13.7 billion. The A350-900s currently operate limited services to Japan, Rome and Madrid.

Liege Airport and Chicago Rockford International Airport have entered a formal partnership to boost transatlantic freighter traffic and collaborate on sales and operations, reported London's Air Cargo News.

The agreement was unveiled at the air cargo Southeast Asia conference in Singapore and aims to strengthen ties between the two cargo-focused airports. It sets out a framework for joint marketing efforts, operational improvements and digital collaboration.



Executives from both airports and industry leaders witnessed the signing, which is expected to attract new cargo operators and logistics partners to both hubs.



Torsten Wefers, vice president sales and marketing at Liege Airport, said the deal reflects a shared vision for air cargo growth and will support shippers, carriers and the global supply chain.



Liege Airport saw a 23 per cent year-on-year rise in cargo volumes in the third quarter, reaching 334,956 tonnes, with aircraft movements up nine per cent to 7,262.



Zachary Oakley, executive director of Rockford Airport, said the partnership formalises existing cooperation and opens the door to new opportunities.



Rockford Airport recorded a 1.5 per cent increase in cargo volumes in 2024, supported by new partnerships with freight carriers.

Iran has increased imports of sodium perchlorate, a key ingredient in solid-fuel ballistic missiles, with recent shipments tracked from China to Bandar Abbas, reported Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.

Two Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines vessels, Golbon and Jairan, delivered 58 containers of sodium perchlorate from Shanghai to Iran before the 12-Day War. The estimated 1,000 tonnes could fuel up to 240 missiles and were unloaded into the Shahid Rajaei container park by March.



Sodium perchlorate, classified as hazardous in the US, poses explosive risks and health hazards. It is used to produce ammonium perchlorate, which comprises 70 per cent of Iran's missile fuel load, and also serves as an oxidising agent in industrial processes.



The shipments, carried by IRISL, fall under UN Security Council Resolution 1929, which warns of IRISL's role in Iran's missile development. Snap-back sanctions were reimposed on September 28, strengthening oversight of such activities.



Following the ships' return, the US Treasury sanctioned six Iranian and six Chinese entities on 29 April for their roles in procuring missile propellant materials for the IRGC. Sanctioned Chinese firms include Yanling Chuanxing Chemical, Dongying Weiaien Chemical, China Chlorate Tech, Shenzhen Amor Logistics and Yanling Lingfeng Chlorate.