Port Houston crossed the three million TEU mark in September, reaching 3,270,595 TEUS year-to-date, the fastest pace in Port Houston's history.

Total container volumes are up 5% year-to-date ompared to last year.

Charlie Jenkins, CEO of Port Houston, said that this is the earliest they've ever reached that mark.

For the month of September, Port Houston handled 337,659 TEUs, a 2% increase from the same month in 2024.

Loaded exports continued rising, up 13% for the month and 7% year-to-date, driven by Houston's strong resin and manufactured goods. Loaded import volumes softened slightly for the month, though they remain up 3% year-to-date.

While Port Houston anticipates a more measured pace at its container terminals through the fourth quarter, overall performance remains consistent and positioned for a solid year-end finish.

Steel imports declined 56% in September but are nearly flat year-to-date. General cargo is up 1% year-to-date, and total tonnage across Port Houston's public terminals reached 41,593,972 short tons through September, up 5% compared to the same time last year.

In September, Port Houston representatives participated in the PromPerú Ports & Trade Seminar to highlight how Houston's infrastructure supports Peruvian imports, particularly the growing demand for fresh fruit and perishables.

In fact, reefer imports increased 19% year-to-date through August, much of it driven by trade with Latin America.

Although refrigerated cargo is a growing segment, Houston's largest cargo segment remains anchored in energy-related exports driven by the region's petrochemical sector.

Hamburg Commercial Bank AG (HCOB) is acting as lead arranger in a €160 million financing package for Inland Terminals Group (ITG), together with a consortium of international banks. HCOB also served as facility and security agent for the transaction.

IT is the largest inland container terminal operator in the Benelux region, providing comprehensive logistics services through its network of 17 terminals along key waterways connected to the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp. The company was formed in 2021 by infrastructure investor Infracapital following the acquisition of BCTN's inland terminal operations.

Hans Lötzer, Head of Project Finance at HCOB, said: "We are delighted to support ITG with this financing and to further expand our existing business relationship with Infracapital. This transaction underscores our strength in delivering tailored and one stop solutions for our customers."

César Bravo, Project Finance Director at HCOB, added: "We congratulate the ITG and Infracapital teams for this successful financing and look forward to continue supporting their future growth."

Lee Hamano-Crossingham, Investment Director at Infracapital, commented: "The refinancing of IT is a major milestone for our business, with strong lender support reflecting the market leading platform that we have developed and its highly resilient infrastructure characteristics. We are pleased to have partnered with HCOB on this deal and to continue the close cooperation between Infracapital and HCOB."

SGP Container Terminals, a subsidiary of Saudi Global Ports Group has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 15 million TEUs in cumulative container throughput handled at King Abdulaziz Port Dammam since commencing operations in 2015.

This milestone was achieved through close collaboration with the Saudi Ports Authority, Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, global shipping lines, and various long-term partners.

SGP operates the largest container terminal on the Eastern Coast of Saudi Arabia at King Abdulaziz Port Dammam and has played a central role in connecting the Kingdom's industries to international markets.

Supported by PSA International's global expertise in container terminals, the volumes handled at SGP Container Terminals have continued growing year on year to achieve a high of 3.2 million TEUs in 2024.

This achievement further reinforces SP's long-term growth trajectory, following shortly after the successful award and integration of Multipurpose Terminals along the Eastern Coast in July 2025.

Collectively, these developments demonstrate SP's continued commitment to transforming the ports and logistics ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, driven by sustained investments in technology, operational excellence, and workforce development.

Daniel Phay, Chief Executive Officer of SGP Container Terminals, added that surpassing 15 million TEUs is a proud achievement, reflecting years of unwavering commitment and dedication as they align with purpose to deliver reliable and efficient service for the customers.

NorthPort, the Philippines' lead gateway for domestic cargo operated by ICTSI, takes a significant step toward more sustainable operations with the conversion of its rubber-tired gantry cranes into hybrids.

The conversion enables the RTGs to operate more efficiently while reducing the terminal's carbon footprint.

Six RTGs were converted into hybrids by replacing their diesel generator sets with smaller generators paired with high-capacity, liquid-cooled battery systems.

These now run primarily on batteries, which are recharged by the smaller generator sets, resulting in reduced diesel consumption and maintenance requirements.

The initial batch of hybrids is now fully operational, achieving a 49% reduction in carbon emissions and diesel consumption. This lowers the terminal's average annual carbon emissions by half from 2,186 tons to an estimated 1,109 tons.

Moreover, NorthPort is expanding its hybrid RTG fleet with the acquisition of four new Mitsui hybrid units, scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The Port of New Orleans announced that the United States Department of Commerce has approved its application to expand Port NOLA's Federal Trade Zone service area to include St. Tammany Parish. FTZ No. 2 already covers Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard Parishes.

This expansion positions the Port and the broader Southeast Louisiana business community to attract new investment, support regional economic development, and create jobs.

Beth Branch, Port NOLA President and CEO, said that by expanding our Federal Trade Zone into St. Tammany Parish, they're offering businesses another powerful tool to strengthen their competitiveness, increase trade opportunities, and ultimately generate new jobs across the region.

A Federal Trade Zone is a secure area under US Customs and Border Protection supervision that allows businesses to defer, reduce, or eliminate duties on imported goods. FTZ designation gives companies greater flexibility in supply chain management and encourages international trade.

Through a strategic partnership with the St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation, Port NOLA is supporting expanded growth opportunities on the Northshore, as well as increasing revenue across both the region and the state.

Russell Richardson, President and CEO of St. Tammany EDC, commented that this designation not only strengthens our connection to global markets but also reinforces St. Tammany's role as a critical hub for commerce and logistics in Southeast Louisiana.

Expanding FTZ No. 2 into St. Tammany will help move more cargo through the Port of New Orleans while also enhancing Louisiana's role in global commerce.

Incheon Port Authority sees India and Indonesia as the new China, tapping into countries that are two of the largest emerging markets for container shipments.

And it has launched the South Korean port's first direct container shipping link with India - the Far East-India Express (FIE).

Incheon port officials said FIE was expected to become a key transport link for raw materials and finished products from major manufacturing plants in East India and the Seoul metropolitan area.

Containerised exports from South Korea to India, were previously handled only at Busan and Gwangyang ports. Incheon Port Authority

president Lee Kyung-Kyu said: "The opening of this Far East-India route will mark a new turning point in Incheon port's expansion of its logistics network with major ports in South Asia. We will strengthen our cooperation with South Asia to support exporters and importers in the Seoul area."

The authority said it had recently been pursuing a strategy focusing on the "Next China" region to respond to the changing global shipping environment and the diversification of China-centric supply chains.

With US president Donald Trump hitting back at the concentration of manufacturing in China with tariffs, factories have been shifting to Southeast Asia.

Specifically, Incheon Port Authority has targeted the Indian and Indonesian markets, and has been creating new routes through visiting shippers, and offering incentives in strategic regions.

A new research project has commenced to design a framework and operational requirements within a digital twin to simulate autonomous short-haul container transfers at the Port of Brisbane.

Over the next 12 months, port of Brisbane in partnership with Queensland University of Technology and MOVE Australia will consider the regulatory, safety, technical, and security requirements of an ecosystem to support container transfers between port facilities using low/zero-emission autonomous vehicles.

With freight volumes growing and a declining truck driver workforce, the research collaboration will explore how low/zero-emission autonomous vehicles could supplement requirements by supporting container movements between terminals, depots, and the PBPL-operated Brisbane Multimodal Terminal, the interface for road and rail at the Port.

Port of Brisbane CEO Neil Stephens stated the project was a key initiative identified through its recently released Vision 2060 an ambitious roadmap designed to strengthen Queensland's economic position, future proof trade, and support the transition to a more sustainable and efficient port.

The Vision identified that by 2060, Queensland's population is expected to reach 8.3 million from around 5.5 million in 2024, with container trade through the Port of Brisbane tripling over this time, Mr Stephens added.

As container volumes increase to meet Australia's growing population and trade demands, ports are under pressure to handle higher throughput while pursuing decarbonization strategies and maintaining the highest safety levels.

This project is a first-of-its-kind for the Port of Brisbane and represents a step toward enabling seamless connectivity in and around the port to support this future growth.

The Port of Brisbane continues playing a vital role in Queensland's economic prosperity, contributing US$11 billion to the state's economy in FY24 and supporting more than 73,000 jobs across its supply chain.

The Port of Oakland handled 178,942 TEUs in September 2025, down 6.6% from last year and 7% below August volumes. Officials said the decline reflects tariff-related market shifts rather than normal seasonal trends.

Full imports totaled 75,716 TEUS, a 7.9% drop year-on-year, while full exports reached 60,123 TEUs, down 2.2%. Despite the dip, trade flows remained stable thanks to consistent vessel calls and efficient terminal operations.

From January to September, Oakland terminals processed 1.72 million TEUs - up 0.7% from the same period in 2024. Imports rose 1.6% and exports grew 0.5%, showing steady performance despite global trade volatility.

The port recorded 82 vessel calls in September compared with 90 last year, but average ship size and utilization increased to 2,193 TEUs per call, up 1.8%. Larger ships continue to boost operational efficiency.

"While trade patterns are shifting due to tariff uncertainty, Oakland remains stable and resilient, said Bryan Brandes, Port Maritime Director. "Larger ships and consistent growth show the confidence carriers and cargo owners have in Oakland's role as a key U.S. gateway."

Port officials said some importers advanced shipments earlier in the year to avoid tariff risks, softening typical fall activity. Agricultural and refrigerated exports also faced weaker demand and cost pressures.

"The Port of Oakland is investing in infrastructure and sustainability for long-term competitiveness," said Executive Director Kristi McKenney. "Even as markets fluctuate, we continue to support regional jobs and strengthen our role in global trade."

Europe’s container ports may see a short reprieve following a court-mediated agreement to pause a major strike at the Port of Rotterdam, but broader port disruption continues to threaten sea freight flows across the continent.

Hundreds of lashers at Europe’s busiest container terminal suspended their walkout for five days on Monday 13 October to Friday 17 October, under terms agreed after legal intervention and fresh negotiations between unions and employer associations. The temporary halt offers a breathing space for business operators and shippers facing backlog pressure.

The strike, which began last Wednesday, had brought loading and unloading at all Rotterdam container berths to a standstill, accumulating a significant queue of vessels anchored offshore. The lashers, who are responsible for securing containers on ships, had demanded a pay increase and better conditions, asserting that the port could not function without their services.

Under last Saturday’s court ruling, unions and employers pledged to resume talks on Sunday morning. The agreement allows the walkout to pause while negotiations continue, but warns that striking may resume if no deal materialises by Friday morning.

Rotterdam’s crisis is hardly isolated. Industrial unrest has swelled across Northern Europe, compounding congestion that was already mounting due to vessel re-deployments, yard overcapacity, and adverse weather.

At the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, harbour pilots have initiated work-to-rule protests over proposed pension reforms. Their action has aggravated scheduling delays and snarled traffic entering and leaving the Belgian ports. Antwerp authorities reported dozens of vessels without confirmed berths. With Antwerp already facing backlog pressure, it has limited ability to absorb overflow from Rotterdam.

The strikes and bottlenecks they are creating have triggered ripple effects through Europe’s logistics networks, with delayed container loading, longer turnaround times, and route reassignments.

The five-day pause in Rotterdam will help clear some of the backlog, but if wage talks fail, strikes could quickly resume, deepening disruption across Europe’s ports. However, shippers remain exposed to bottlenecks, rising costs, and delivery uncertainty as supply chains strain under the pressure. Antwerp’s limited spare capacity offers little relief, and other ports may struggle to absorb diverted traffic amid already congested terminals.

Chinese forwarders are having to contend with rising costs as the price of labour, equipment, and energy eats into operating margins.

This is despite the country's supply chains proving remarkably resistant to the Trump administration's tariff wars.

One forwarder told that China's logistics sector was undergoing a "critical period of transformation". "Logistics enterprises are confronted with the challenge of rising costs.

The increase in oil prices, labour and equipment maintenance expenses have led to a significant surge in operating costs. "This substantial hike has further squeezed the profit margins of enterprises, resulting in mounting operational pressure."

The past year has proved tumultuous for China, which, having shown a moderate recovery at the start of the year, found itself facing down both barrels of the Trump administration desire to reconfigure the global trade order.

Despite this, the forwarder said, the logistics sector had maintained steady growth momentum, "laying a solid foundation for the development of the whole year".

"From January to August, China's total logistics volumes reached CNY229.4trn ($31 trn), characterised by stable growth and continuous structural transformation and upgrades. These figures reflect vigorous logistics development," the forwarder added. "But it also indicates that the logistics and transportation industry is in a critical period of transformation, and many new opportunities have emerged accordingly."

For small- and medium-sized operators (SMEs), the forwarder suggested cross-border activities were proving particularly profitable, but noted that this necessitated a "greening" of their operations as customers seek improved environmental credentials.