| | | | | | Industry News Customs Brokerage News Eastern News
| | | | | | | | | | Norfolk Southern to drop international intermodal service on many USEC lanes | | Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) will end international intermodal service on over 20 East Coast routes effective May 31, due to low container volumes. Key routes impacted include the Port of Virginia to Memphis and Chicago to Jacksonville. While the Virginia–Memphis service launched in March 2023 with high expectations, it failed to attract consistent demand, as shippers preferred alternatives in Charleston and Savannah. NS stated that reallocating resources will strengthen its broader network and allow for future reinstatement if volumes increase. The Chicago–Jacksonville cancellation will affect shipments to Puerto Rico, though CSX will continue offering service on that corridor. NS will maintain domestic intermodal trains on select lanes and shift its Norfolk Portlock Yard to focus solely on domestic operations. Other discontinued routes carried minimal international freight, such as Atlanta–Chicago and Charleston–Huntsville, with service continuing through Savannah. Read more | | | | | | | | Uneasy West Coast ports watch as first signs of trade dispute with China emerge | | West Coast ports are preparing for a significant decline in imports as early signs of a trade dispute with China begin to impact shipping activity. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach—America’s busiest trade gateway—expect import volumes in May to fall by 35% and 38%, respectively, due to a wave of canceled sailings and underloaded vessels from China. From May through June, 59 blank sailings are scheduled across both ports, equating to 65,000 to 71,000 fewer containers arriving weekly. Other terminals along the coast, including Oakland and the Northwest Seaport Alliance of Seattle and Tacoma, also report increased blank sailings and reduced cargo volumes, with canceled orders particularly affecting shipments from China. While terminal operators are adjusting operations by scaling back gate hours, longshore workers remain protected from layoffs due to existing contracts. Still, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union sharply criticized the U.S. administration’s tariff policies, warning that disrupted trade between the U.S. and China could threaten jobs tied to the global supply chain. Meanwhile, the Port of Vancouver remains stable, as most of its container traffic is tied to Canadian trade and unaffected by U.S. tariffs. Read more | | | | | | | | Several events behind port congestion in Northern Europe | | Northern Europe’s key ports are facing significant congestion due to new shipping alliances, labor strikes, and strained infrastructure. Major terminals in Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Felixstowe, and Antwerp-Bruges have experienced delays, with Antwerp-Bruges nearly halting operations during a week-long April strike. Earlier labor disputes in Rotterdam and Le Havre over automation continue to impact schedules. UK ports such as Felixstowe and Southampton are also under pressure from rerouted vessels tied to shifting trade patterns, including changes from the Maersk-Hapag-Lloyd Gemini Cooperation. Heavy rainfall, landslides, and droughts have disrupted inland waterway traffic, particularly on the Rhine, compounding the issue. Transport Intelligence notes that this ongoing fragmentation of logistics is prompting greater reliance on intermodal solutions and long-term infrastructure adaptations. Read more | | | | | | DOT Reinstates English Proficiency Standards to Strengthen Commercial Driver Safety | | The U.S. Department of Transportation announced new steps to enforce English language proficiency (ELP) requirements for commercial drivers, following an Executive Order signed by President Trump to strengthen road safety and uphold federal driver qualification standards. The order directs the reversal of 2016 guidance that limited enforcement of ELP rules, even though federal regulations require drivers to read and speak English to safely operate commercial vehicles. Inadequate English proficiency has been linked to serious accidents, including fatal crashes where drivers failed to understand road signs or communicate with authorities. The Department will issue updated guidance to ensure that drivers who do not meet ELP standards are placed out of service and will review non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses for irregularities. These actions reinforce the importance of clear communication on U.S. roadways, help reduce the risk of accidents, and ensure all commercial drivers meet established safety requirements. Read more | | | | | | Suez Canal offers discount in bid to lure boxships back | | The Suez Canal Authority announced a 15% discount on transit fees for containerships with capacities of approximately 13,500 TEU and above, effective for the next three months. The authority responded to requests from shipowners and acknowledged recent improvements in security across the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait. Over the past year, canal revenues dropped sharply as many carriers rerouted to avoid Houthi-led attacks on commercial vessels linked to the conflict involving Hamas and Israel. Although U.S. President Donald Trump and Omani negotiators reported progress toward a ceasefire, the Houthis continue to launch missiles, raising concerns about the region’s stability. Major carriers, including Maersk, refuse to resume Red Sea transits without clear and lasting security guarantees. Analysts report that vessel diversions have reduced global container capacity by 11–12%, which now supports tighter market conditions and helps sustain freight rates. Read more | | | | | | | | | | US - China Trade Agreement | | | | | | US and UK Sign Historic Trade Deal on WWII Victory Day | | President Donald Trump recently announced that the United States and the United Kingdom have reached a trade agreement. While full details are still to be published and released, the White House has released a fact sheet that outlines the changes expected to reshape the trade relations between the two countries. The fact sheet states the following changes: - Agricultural Exports: Opens $5 billion in new market opportunities for U.S. farmers and producers, including $700M in ethanol exports and $250M in other agricultural products, like beef and other goods.
- Aerospace & Pharma: Secures supply chains for U.S. aerospace and pharmaceutical sectors through improved UK access.
- Non-Tariff Barriers: The UK will reduce or eliminate restrictions that have historically limited U.S. agricultural exports.
- Reciprocal Tariff: The reciprocal tariff rate of 10% as originally announced is still in effect.
- Autos: First 100,000 UK vehicles imported to the U.S. annually face a 10% tariff; amounts above that will be taxed at 25%.
- Steel & Aluminum: Section 232 tariffs will be reconsidered based on UK reforms.
- Customs & Procurement: Streamlines export procedures and closes gaps in access to UK public procurement opportunities.
- Trade Standards: Both nations commit to stronger protections around labor, intellectual property, and the environment.
To read the full fact sheet, visit White House Fact Sheet: U.S.-UK Reach Historic Trade Deal | | | | | | Importers Face Bond Insufficiency, Compliance Hurdles Amid New Tariffs, Brokers Say | | | | New tariffs are creating significant challenges for importers and customs brokers, particularly regarding bond sufficiency and increased regulatory oversight. As tariffs accumulate, importer bonds may become insufficient, resulting in greater liability exposure for sureties and stricter underwriting requirements, such as requests for financial statements and higher collateral. It is important for both brokers and importers to understand how the customs bond limit formula works and to recognize that bond saturation is not tied to the bond period. Since Customs and Border Protection (CBP) only assesses duties already paid, importers must forecast their future duty exposure to maintain compliance. Additionally, an increase in CBP’s issuance of Customs Forms 28 (Requests for Information) and 29 (Notices of Action) is expected, especially in cases where importers change origin declarations or trade program indicators in response to new tariffs. To avoid delays or missed deadlines, shippers should actively monitor their ACE accounts or enroll in ACE to receive Customs notices promptly and ensure timely responses to any CBP requests. Read more
| | | | | | | | | | | | Eastern Racing Secures Podium Finish in Miami to Conclude Concours Cup Season 2 Round 7 | | | | | | | | | | Eastern Shipping Worldwide Opens Canada Office in Toronto | | Eastern Shipping Worldwide is excited to announce the official opening of its new office in Toronto, Ontario, following the March 2024 announcement of its expansion into Canada. This new location strengthens Eastern’s North American presence and reflects the company’s commitment to supporting clients with localized, end-to-end logistics solutions including ocean, air, land, and intermodal transport, as well as customs brokerage.
Located at 4750 Yonge St., Suite 324, the office sits on the third floor of a commercial building at Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue—one of Toronto’s busiest business hubs. The building is a recognizable green landmark, situated directly above the Sheppard-Yonge subway station (Line 1) and across from a GO Bus terminal with direct service to Toronto Pearson International Airport, just 15 minutes away. With immediate access to Highway 401, and surrounded by shopping centers, major banks, government services, and Yorkdale Mall just minutes away, the location offers unmatched connectivity and convenience.
Eastern’s Canada team is fully operational and ready to serve both regional and cross-border clients. This strategic expansion is another step in Eastern’s global growth, delivering the reliable, responsive, and personalized service clients expect across all locations.
For inquiries or more information, contact: Moe Yousefi or Fernando Mantilla 877.292.5874 | | | | | | | | | | | | Our mailing address is: One Pierce Place, Suite 460 E, Itasca, IL 60143
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