Expedition and freight forwarding solutions

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.

Gulftainer has introduced a new dedicated feeder service linking the UAE with Iraq through the Port of Umm Qasr.

Operated under its shipping division GT Lines, the new route will connect the Iraqi market with UAE port gateways and, through them, with regional and global logistics hubs.

A key feature of the service is the integration of maritime connectivity with inland logistics infrastructure. GT Lines will deploy its own vessels, while cargo operations will be supported by Iraq Commercial Terminal and the nearby Umm Qasr Logistics Centre, located adjacent to the terminal.

The logistics centre will provide warehousing, container storage, cargo consolidation, customs support and other value-added services designed to accelerate cargo flows. This integrated model reduces supply chain fragmentation and provides cargo owners with more predictable access to international markets.

The new service strengthens the role of Umm Qasr as Iraq’s primary maritime gateway and enhances the country’s connectivity with East Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Africa and other global markets through Gulftainer’s network.

For Iraqi traders, the service delivers improved cargo visibility, more reliable schedules and direct access to containerised logistics solutions via the UAE.

For Gulftainer, the launch represents another milestone in its long-term partnership with Iraqi port authorities and supports the development of a comprehensive UAE–Iraq trade corridor. As regional trade continues to expand, feeder services such as this play a vital role in connecting local economies with global shipping routes.

Norway has allocated funding in its budget to begin preparatory work on the Stad Ship Tunnel — the world’s first full-scale tunnel designed specifically for maritime vessels.

The project involves building a tunnel through the Stad Peninsula measuring approximately 1.7 km in length, 50 m in height, and 36 m in width. Its purpose is to provide ships with a safer route around Stadhavet, one of the most difficult and hazardous stretches of Norway’s coastline.

The significance of the project goes far beyond conventional port infrastructure. In effect, it will create a protected maritime corridor through solid rock, reducing shipping’s dependence on storm conditions, improving the regularity of coastal services, and lowering risks for passenger, cargo, and service vessels.

The project had previously been questioned due to rising costs, but after redesigning, the budget was reduced. The new state budget includes initial funding for preparatory works, and construction could begin as early as 2027, provided government support continues.