Expedition and freight forwarding solutions

The Port of Los Angeles has reached a new milestone, handling 1.04 million TEU in September 2026 — its highest monthly container volume on record.

One of the key drivers behind this growth was strong cargo traffic from China. More predictable U.S. trade tariffs encouraged importers to increase shipments, while disruptions and restrictions at the Panama Canal also contributed to changes in shipping routes.

The record highlights the continued importance of China–U.S. trade, despite ongoing trade tensions and changes in global supply chains.

However, higher cargo volumes also put additional pressure on port infrastructure, inland transportation and container handling operations.

For shippers and logistics providers, the message is clear: strong trade flows create new opportunities, but careful planning remains essential to avoid delays and keep supply chains running smoothly.

A new weekly feeder service between Hong Kong and Taiwan is being launched as TVL Marine returns to liner shipping.

The service is aimed at strengthening short-sea connections within Asia and meeting growing demand for intra-Asia cargo flows.

- Focus on regional trade

The new route provides shippers with another regular option for moving containers between Hong Kong and Taiwan — two important logistics hubs in the region.

- Sea-air logistics is also in focus

TVL Marine also sees potential in the growing sea-air segment, where cargo is transported by sea for part of the journey and then transferred to air freight.

This model can offer businesses a balance between the lower cost of ocean freight and the speed of air transport, particularly for time-sensitive cargo.

For Asian logistics, the launch reflects a broader trend: regional shipping networks are becoming increasingly important as companies look for more flexible and diversified supply chains.

The container ship Seaspan Benefactor paid around $4 million for priority transit through the Panama Canal — more than double the average price paid at such auctions during the previous week.

The reason is growing congestion. Due to the crisis in the Middle East, some cargo flows are being redirected to alternative routes, putting additional pressure on the Panama Canal.

Neopanamax vessels may now wait around 10 days for transit — the longest waiting time since May.

The situation is further complicated by draft restrictions caused by lower water levels, as well as scheduled maintenance works.

The Panama Canal allows shipping companies to bid for priority transit slots at auction and move ahead of the regular queue. Today, the price of such urgency is already measured in millions of dollars.

For the shipping market, this is another reminder: disruptions on one major trade route can quickly affect others, leading to longer queues, higher transportation costs and less predictable delivery times.

When planning shipments, it is once again worth building in extra time and closely monitoring developments along key shipping routes.