This week’s freight report highlights the shifting policy landscape and macroeconomic signals shaping global supply chains. We begin with rising tensions at the IMO as the U.S. threatens tariffs against nations backing maritime decarbonization targets, underscoring how environmental policy is becoming a new axis of trade friction. Closely tied to this is the deepening tech alliance between India and Singapore, forming as a hedge against U.S. tariff pressure—offering a glimpse into future supply chain realignments across Asia.
At the manufacturing level, activity held flat in August, as ongoing uncertainty around trade policy continues to weigh on production confidence. Yet, amid this uncertainty, the U.S. logistics sector showed resilience last month, with the latest data indicating modest expansion despite ongoing cost and labor headwinds. In trucking, outlooks for the second half of 2025 remain split, with carriers citing volatile conditions across regulation, volumes, and margin pressure. Ocean shipping tells a similar story: even as volumes soften, rates remain stable, hinting at tighter capacity management from carriers.
Finally, as we approach peak season, major parcel providers are moving early, announcing surcharge hikes that will directly impact final-mile and e-commerce logistics through year-end.
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