Weekly Freight Report: January 16, 2026

This week’s freight news is all about big moves and bigger implications. From Venezuela’s hidden oil tankers emerging into the spotlight to a massive US-Taiwan trade deal reshaping the chip supply chain, shippers are facing a shifting global landscape. Add in new tariffs on AI chips, a $247M Canadian port expansion, and a Verizon outage that left trucking tech stranded, and you’ve got a week that demands attention.

The USMCA review looming in July adds another layer of uncertainty. Now’s the time to stress-test your supply chain strategy.

Dive into the full update below.

Venezuela's Dark Fleet of Oil Tankers Emerges

The shadowy tanker fleet that helped Venezuela evade US sanctions is coming out of the dark. Following Washington’s intervention, supertankers like the Marbella and Rene have turned their transponders back on, revealing millions of barrels of crude now bound for US markets.

Taiwan Trade Pact Pledges $500 Billion for US Chipmaking

The US and Taiwan have reached a trade deal that cuts tariffs on Taiwanese goods to 15% in exchange for $500 billion in semiconductor investment. The agreement signals a major push to expand domestic chip production and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.

Egypt Opens New Semiautomated Red Sea Terminal as Suez Traffic Grows

A new terminal developed by Hutchison Ports, CMA Terminals, and Cosco Shipping Ports is now operational on Egypt’s Red Sea coast. The facility aims to capture increasing east-west trade as carriers begin returning to Suez routes.

White House Slaps 25% Tariffs on Re-Exported AI Chips

The Trump administration has imposed 25% tariffs on advanced AI chips like Nvidia’s H200 and AMD’s MI325X when imported to the US and re-exported to other countries. Chips used for domestic data centers and infrastructure are exempt.

How Verizon's Cellular Outages Expose Trucking's Technology Achilles' Heel

Wednesday’s Verizon outage left tens of thousands without service for nearly half the business day, disrupting ELDs, AI dashcams, fleet tracking, and driver communication. The incident highlights trucking’s deep reliance on cellular infrastructure.

Oil Tanker Rates Jump as US Push Into Venezuela Shifts Flows

Caribbean-to-US Gulf tanker rates have surged to their highest level in nearly two years as Venezuelan crude begins flowing to American refiners. The shift is squeezing vessel availability and driving up rates across multiple routes.

USMCA Review Poses Stress Test for North American Supply Chains

The USMCA’s first joint review kicks off July 1, 2026, and prolonged uncertainty could disrupt sourcing decisions and investment planning. Trump has called the current deal “irrelevant,” while industry groups urge preservation of the agreement’s core structure.

Canada's Port of Saint John Ready for Larger Ships, More Containers

Canada’s Port of Saint John has completed its $247 million West Side Modernization Project, quadrupling container capacity to over 800,000 TEUs. The upgrade positions the port as an alternative gateway for shippers navigating congestion at larger North American ports.

Weekly Freight Report: January 16, 2026

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