Wakool Weekly News

Tightened driver rules, peak harvest loads and carrier-led blank sailings are driving spot ocean rates to multi-month highs and straining domestic freight networks. With ports congested and mini-bids on the rise, logistics teams must leverage flexible routing, multi-modal options, and proactive bidding strategies to stay ahead of this freight frenzy.

Geneva talks deliver a 90-day tariff truce—US duties on Chinese imports fall from 145% to 30%, China’s from 125% to 10%, and most surcharges are suspended. Logistics providers now have a brief window to clear backlogs and optimize routes before uncertainty returns. As carriers recalibrate—Maersk cuts volume forecasts, DHL snaps up U.S. warehouse space, UPS scales back Amazon hubs, and forwarders scout new lanes—the 90-day truce offers only a fleeting respite.

As U.S. tariffs impact the global supply chain, West Coast ports predict a historic slowdown. Import volumes could drop by 30–35% in weeks, endangering jobs. Retailers stockpile, while platforms like Shein and Temu raise prices. China’s export slump weakens trans-Pacific sailings, with over 50% of routes canceled. Spot rates stabilise, but analysts warn of renewed downward pressure if U.S. demand weakens. North America’s cross-border trade remains strong, but tariff proposal