Weekly Customer Update 30 May 2025

Overview 

This week, the global movement of goods continues to be influenced by regional infrastructure strain and high demand on key trade routes. While activity from Asia to North America remains elevated, knock-on delays from Northern Europe and West Coast U.S. corridors are disrupting onward connections. As we head into a period of public holidays in parts of Asia, planning agility remains essential, particularly for time sensitive or multimodal shipments.

Regional Market Updates 

United Kingdom 

• Operations remain fluid at domestic ports and inland hubs.
• However, delays originating in Northern Europe are impacting inbound schedules, especially where transshipment is involved. 

United States

• Elevated volumes from China continue to stretch capacity.
• Major inland hubs, particularly across the West Coast, are experiencing extended processing times.
• Shifts in sourcing strategies are being seen across retail and direct-to-consumer sectors. 

Poland

• Domestic flows remain consistent.
• Extended delays from Northern Europe are beginning to create eastbound scheduling impacts. 

Netherlands / Northern Europe 

• Port activity remains high at Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges with 5 to 6 day yard delays now typical.
• Labour shortages at Bremerhaven are prompting service changes by ocean carriers to maintain schedule integrity. 

India Subcontinent 

• General stability across key corridors.
• Political events and seasonal weather fluctuations around Delhi and the NCR region require close monitoring, particularly for air and road connections. 

Australia / Oceania

• Ocean services are recovering with the gradual reintroduction of larger vessels.
• Bookings into New Zealand remain limited due to continued congestion.
• Industrial relations remain stable but are still under close review after earlier disruptions. 

Mexico 

• Steady conditions continue.
• Flows into central automotive hubs are carefully tracked. 

Transport Line Updates 

Sea 

• Asia–United States routes continue to see strong activity, with previously paused services now reinstated, including Pacific routes and transpacific connections that support increased demand.
• In Northern Europe, congestion is driving alternate routing strategies and adjusted schedules. 

Air 

• Demand remains strong from China into the US, Europe, and Oceania.
• Air hubs are adjusting capacity in response to shifting trade dynamics and peak season preparedness.
• Cathay Pacific reports a 14% year-on-year growth in volumes, reflecting sustained demand. 

Rail 

• U.S. inland networks, particularly those linked to West Coast ports, continue to face minor delays.
• Dwell times remain a key performance indicator to monitor in supply chain planning. 

Global Port Operations 

• Bremerhaven continues to experience reduced throughput due to labor shortages. Contingency plans involving Nordic terminals are now standard.
• Antwerp-Bruges manages volume well, though operating under pressure. 

• Australian terminals have recovered from earlier disruption, with no new issues reported. 

   

China Port Operations

Market Intelligence 

The Port of New York and New Jersey saw a 6% year-on-year increase in activity during April, suggesting strong sustained demand in the East Coast corridor. 

Asia-Pacific capacity is adapting, with Cathay Pacific scaling premium service offerings in anticipation of further transpacific growth. 

Congestion in Northern Europe is driving realignment of vessel rotations and hub port strategies to manage yard build-up. 

Customer Guidance 

Please connect with your Ligentia representative to explore current capacity and schedule visibility. Our teams remain available to provide detailed planning support and scenario solutions that enable resilient operations in a dynamic environment.