COSCO-Managed VLCC Tankers Successfully Transit Bab el-Mandeb Amid Rising Red Sea Shipping Risks
On July 23, two Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) managed by COSCO Shipping successfully passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and entered the Gulf of Aden, continuing their voyage to China with approximately 4 million barrels of Saudi crude oil onboard. The two vessels — Singapore-flagged “Xin Long Yang” and Hong Kong-flagged “Cosnew Lake” — […]
U.S. Introduces New Section 301 Tariffs on Imports from 60 Economies: Key Impacts on Global Trade
On July 23, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) officially announced a new round of tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, applying additional duties of 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 economies. The new tariff measures took effect at 12:01 AM Eastern Time on July 24, 2026 […]
U.S. Imposes Final Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties on Hardwood Decorative Plywood from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam
The U.S. Department of Commerce has recently issued its final affirmative determinations regarding anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD) on hardwood and decorative plywood imported from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The final decision will significantly impact global plywood supply chains, especially for Chinese exporters supplying the U.S. market. China Faces Combined Tariff Rate of Over […]
Green Shipping Revolution: How Bioethanol and Bio-LNG Are Transforming Ocean Freight
A New Milestone in Global Maritime Decarbonization According to Bloomberg’s report on July 14, the container vessel CMA CGM Iron has successfully completed the world’s first commercial bunkering operation using bioethanol marine fuel for a deep-sea container ship at the Port of Santos, Brazil. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the global shipping industry’s […]
Proposed 20% Transit Fee on Hormuz Strait: Potential Impact on Global Shipping Costs and Supply Chains
Rising Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz Recently, tensions between the United States and Iran have continued to escalate, bringing the Strait of Hormuz back into the spotlight of the global shipping industry. A reported policy proposal from the Trump administration — introducing a 20% transit fee based on the cargo value for goods passing […]
Why Do US Ocean Shipments Usually Use HBL Instead of MBL?
Many international trade professionals have the same question: Why do ocean shipments to the United States usually receive a House Bill of Lading (HBL), while shipments to Europe, Southeast Asia, and Japan/Korea often receive a Master Bill of Lading (MBL)? This difference is mainly determined by customs regulations, trade structures, and international shipping practices. 1. […]
Customs Declaration Codes 0, 1, 2 Explained: How Preferential Trade Agreement Indicators Affect Import Duty Benefits
Customs Declaration Codes 0, 1, 2 Explained: How Preferential Trade Agreement Indicators Affect Import Duty Benefits Many international trade professionals have encountered this confusing situation: two shipments exported to the same destination country, but the customs declaration shows different numbers in the product section — one marked as 1, another marked as 2. Does it […]
MBL vs HBL: Why Does US Ocean Shipping Usually Use House Bill of Lading?
MBL vs HBL: Why Does US Ocean Shipping Usually Use House Bill of Lading? Many professionals in international trade and ocean freight have the same question: Why do shipments from China to the USA usually receive a House Bill of Lading (HBL), while shipments to Europe, Southeast Asia, and Japan/Korea often receive a Master Bill […]
Russia Considers 30% Tariff on Imported Tires: New Challenges for China Tire Exporters
Russia Considers 30% Tariff on Imported Tires: New Challenges for China Tire Exporters Global trade regulations are changing rapidly. China tire exporters are facing new tariff barriers, environmental requirements, and supply chain challenges in the Russian market. Rising China-Russia Trade Faces New Challenges While China-Russia trade relations continue to expand, a new challenge is emerging […]
La Guaira Port Operations Suspended After Venezuela Earthquakes: Maersk and MSC Adjust Services
Port Operations Update La Guaira Port Operations Suspended After Venezuela Earthquakes: Maersk and MSC Adjust Services Following the recent earthquakes in northern Venezuela, commercial operations at the Port of La Guaira have not yet resumed. As one of Venezuela’s important container gateways, the suspension of operations at La Guaira is creating immediate impacts on import […]
