GT USA, a subsidiary of the Gulftainer Group, has partnered with Great Lakes East to launch a new monthly barge service between Port Canaveral, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The service, which officially commenced on 14 July with the maiden call of the barge Crimson Clover, will focus on transporting construction materials such as lumber, steel coils, sheet piles, rebar, and other general cargo products from the Canaveral Cargo Terminal to Puerto Rico.

The partnership is a strategic step for CCT as it diversifies its operations and extends its service footprint to new markets, highlighting the terminal's capacity to manage complex logistics requirements.

Commodities will be stored in CCT's warehouses and handled through its robust infrastructure, ensuring efficient and secure operations.

At the inaugural call, CCT Operations Superintendent Lynnard Woods presented a commemorative plaque to Sal Menoyo, Vice President of Special Projects, East Coast at Great Lakes East, marking the beginning of the collaboration.

Luke Richards, Managing Director of CCT, said the partnership underscores GT USA'S commitment to innovation and long-term value creation.

Joe Starck, President of The Great Lakes Towing Company, added that this move strengthens their ability to serve the Puerto Rico trade lane with greater efficiency and reliability as this service at Port Canaveral in partnership with GT USA lays a strong foundation for long-term growth.

The Port of Gothenburg sustained its strong growth in the first half of the year, handling 470,000 TEU, with efficiency gains driven by a higher proportion of fully loaded containers and reduced repositioning of empties.

At the same time, rail transport to and from the port reached record highs, strengthening Gothenburg's role as Scandinavia's key logistics hub.

Growth has been driven by inland terminals across Sweden, including in the north, south, and east. The Stockholm region alone recorded a 4 percent increase, handling over 30,000 TEU by rail in the first half of the year.

Claes Sundmark, Vice President Sales and Marketing at the Port of Gothenburg, commented that the fact that they are handling more loaded containers while managing fewer empties reflects greater efficiency across the entire logistics chain.

APM Terminals, which operates the port's container terminal, achieved its best month ever in July, handling 47,805 TEU, a record that will be reflected in the next quarterly report.

This momentum has been bolstered by new services: CMA CGM launched a Gothenburg-Baltic connection, while Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd introduced a new direct service to and from Asia.

Rail has further strengthened its dominance as the leading inland transport mode. In the first six months, rail volumes rose by 4%, with more than 60% of all container freight now moved by train.

The port also welcomed 16 cruise ship calls in the first half of the year, down from last year's record of 26.

Kuehne+Nagel has expanded its long-standing partnership with MTU Maintenance Lease Services by launching a new fulfilment centre in Zhuhai, China, dedicated to supporting the coordination and distribution of aero engine parts.

The new facility strengthens MLS' global logistics network and underscores both companies' commitment to ensuring fast, reliable access to critical aviation components.

A subsidiary of MTU Aero Engines, MLS specialises in the leasing and asset management of commercial aero engines.

Its new Zhuhai fulfilment centre, located in the heart of the Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao Greater Bay Area, will support parts supply throughout China and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Together with MLS' existing hubs in the Netherlands and the United States, the centre forms a globally integrated supply chain that ensures rapid access to essential parts when needed most.

Operated by Kuehne+Nagel, the facility is designed for speed, compliance, and reliability, offering bonded storage and same-day or 24-hour despatch, 365 days a year.

This capability is particularly critical for time-sensitive operations, including urgent line-replaceable-unit requirements and aircraft-on-ground situations, where rapid access to parts can significantly reduce downtime.

Damian Raczynski, Head of Contract Logistics, Kuehne+Nagel Asia Pacific, said the partnership reflects the company's strength in aerospace logistics as MLS operates in a highly dynamic and time-critical industry.

Patrick Biebel, Managing Director of MLS, emphasised the importance of the new hub as the Zhuhai facility reinforces a commitment to fast, reliable access to engine parts, minimising operational downtime and strengthening support for customers in China and across APAC.

According to JIFF, sourced from Korea Ocean Business Corp. (KOBC), the KOBC Container Composite Index (KCCI) slipped 3.67% to 1,993 points on Monday as spot rates for exports from Busan continued to weaken on major trades.

Rates declined across the main lanes: 6.16% to $1,904 per FEU to the U.S. West Coast, 7.01% to $2,996 to the U.S. East Coast, 5.13% to $3,110 to Europe, and 5.2% to $3,120 to the Mediterranean.

Some non-main lanes posted gains, including the west coast of Latin America (+5.42% to $2,995 per FEU), Southern Africa (+2.78% to $3,958), and Australia (+2.92% to $2,256). Declines occurred to the Middle East (-0.37%), east coast of Latin America (-8.2%), and West Africa (-2.62%).

In intra-Asia trades, rates edged up 0.45% to Japan, remained flat to China, and slipped 1.63% to Southeast Asia.

Neptune Pacific will implement a general rate restoration for all cargo loaded in Asia, effective 15 September 2025, bound for destinations in the South Pacific.

The increase will apply to shipments from Asia, China, the Indian Sub-Continent, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East to Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Vanuatu, the Cook Islands, and Wallis & Futuna.

The GRI will be US$300 per 20-foot dry or refrigerated container and US$600 per 40-foot dry or refrigerated container.

CMA CGM has introduced revised freight all kinds rates effective from August 15, 2025, based on the gate-in date at origin ports, and valid until further notice.

For shipments from the Indian Subcontinent to North Europe and the Mediterranean, the new levels are set at US$ 3,500 per 20-foot container and US$ 3,200 per 40-foot container.

The updated tariffs apply to dry cargo only, covering all movements between the Indian ubcontinent and the designated European and Mediterranean destinations.

Malta Freeport Terminals proudly welcomed the MSC Benin, a state-of-the-art Neo-Panamax container ship built in 2025 by New Times Shipbuilding in China.

The vessel's distinctive vertical windbreaker-style bow reduces drag, enhances fuel efficiency, and provides better handling in rough seas making it highly suited for long-distance voyages.

Equipped with a dual-fuel LNG engine, MSC Benin has been designed with performance, sustainability, and environmental responsibility in mind.

Built to meet stringent IMO standards, the ship delivers tangible operational benefits, especially during slow steaming, where reduced speeds help conserve fuel and cut emissions.

During its stop at Malta Freeport, the MSC Benin berthed at Terminal Two North, where four quay cranes completed 1,312 discharge operations and 1,426 container load moves.

The vessel operates on MSC's California Service, which primarily transports refrigerated containers between South America and Europe.

Its rotation includes calls at Gioia Tauro, Civitavecchia, La Spezia, Fos, Valencia, Sines, Panama, Rodman, Lazaro Cardenas, Manzanillo, Los Angeles, Seattle, Oakland, Colon, Cristobal, Malta Freeport, and back to Gioia Tauro.

Measuring 260 meters long and 46 meters wide, with a capacity of 8,496 TEUs including 1,300 refrigerated plugs the MSC Benin represents the latest advances in shipbuilding technology.

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) posted a strong performance in the first half of 2025, despite a weak German economy, geopolitical tensions, and uncertainty from US trade policy. Revenue rose 16.3% year-on-year to €884.5 million, while EBIT jumped 34.8% to €79.4 million.

Moreover, container throughput increased 7.9% to 3.17 million TEU. The Hamburg terminals handled 3 million TEU, up 6.9%, driven by strong Far East volumes, particularly from China, and growing feeder traffic within Europe. International terminals saw even sharper growth of 28.7%, supported by the resumption of operations in Odessa and gains at HHLA PLT Italy.

The Intermodal segment delivered standout results. Transport volumes climbed 19.6% to 997,000 TEU, with rail traffic up 20.2% and road volumes up 16%. Revenue for the segment rose 22.2% to €400.5 million, and EBIT increased 23.1% to €48.2 million.

HHLA's real estate business in Hamburg's Speicherstadt and fish market areas remained almost fully occupied. Revenue edged up 1.8% to €23.4 million, though EBIT dipped 3.4% to €6.7 million.

CEO Angela Titzrath credited the results to HHLA's strengthened European network and integrated logistics solutions. "Our performance shows we are well-positioned to navigate a volatile environment and continue our growth," she said.

The company has narrowed its full-year EBIT forecast to €195-215 million for the Group, and €180-200 million for the Port Logistics subgroup.

July 2025 was the busiest month in the 117-year history of the Port of Los Angeles, with throughput reaching 1,019,837 TEUs, an 8.5% increase over July 2024.

The surge was driven by retailers and manufacturers accelerating shipments amid concerns over potential tariff increases later this year.

Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles commented that in July, terminals were packed with ships, yet cargo moved without delays thanks to the dedication of our longshore workforce, terminal and rail operators, truckers, and supply chain partners.

Dr. Zachary Rogers, Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management at Colorado State University and a lead author of the Logistics Managers Index, joined Seroka during the monthly briefing to discuss the broader impacts of tariffs on transportation, warehousing, and inventory levels.

In July, loaded imports totaled 543,728 TEUs, up 8% year-on-year and setting a new monthly import record for the port. Loaded exports reached 121,507 TEUs, a 6% increase from 2024. The port also processed 354,602 empty containers, up 10% from last year.

From January through July 2025, the Port of Los Angeles handled 5,975,649 TEUs, representing a 5% increase over the same period in 2024.

The Port of Rotterdam Authority has chosen NPM participation Conclusion as its digital partner to manage and further develop its online environment, including the corporate website and a reservation tool for port users.

This platform serves thousands of captains, businesses, residents, and government agencies on a daily basis.

Following a successful tender, Netvlies part of Conclusion oversaw the technical transition.

Over the coming years, the focus will be on enhancing scalability, strengthening security, and integrating data streams. The customer portals already facilitate berth applications, permit requests, and real-time alerts on sailing conditions, among other services.

As the port is part of the Netherlands' vital infrastructure, stringent requirements are set for digital security and operational continuity.

To meet these standards, Netvlies provides monthly security reports, proactive threat assessments, and round-the-clock monitoring. The platforms' modular design also ensures they can be easily adapted to evolving needs and regulatory changes.

According to the Port of Rotterdam Authority, partnering with Conclusion reinforces the port's digital capabilities.

Jochem Vlemmix, founder and director of Netvlies, said that by combining digitalization with sustainability and innovation, the port sets a strong example.