Arvato opens hi-tech logistics hub in Frankfurt
Logistics company Arvato inaugurated a new 10,000-square-metre logistics centre in Frankfurt am Main at the end of August 2025. The opening strengthens the company’s presence in Germany and supports its long-term growth strategy, expanding service capacity for hyperscalers, high-tech industries and industrial customers across Europe. The site is located in one of the continent’s key hubs for logistics and digital infrastructure. This new facility forms part of the strategic development launched with the acquisition of Atc Computer Transport & Logistics. Proximity to Atc sites creates synergies that allow comprehensive services, from inbound management to warehousing, specialised delivery and on-site installation. The centre provides storage and inventory management for IT infrastructure, rapid distribution of critical hardware and value-added services such as staging, configuration and secure handling, supporting the growth of the digital economy.
MSC Jubilee IX captain arrested in Seattle
The captain of the containership Msc Jubilee IX was arrested on 20 August at Terminal 5 of the Port of Seattle on charges of navigating under the influence. According to the US Coast Guard, the captain’s blood alcohol level was six times the legal limit for seafarers. The alarm was raised when a Puget Sound pilot, who had boarded to guide the vessel into port, reported the captain’s suspicious behaviour. During the manoeuvre, the 8,814 teu vessel was brought to berth by the pilot and first officer, where agents from the Coast Guard Investigative Service conducted inspections. The captain, who failed sobriety and breathalyser tests, was taken to King County jail and referred to the prosecutor’s office on charges of “boating under the influence”. The Liberia-flagged, Msc-owned ship was held until a replacement captain was appointed. On 22 August the vessel left Seattle bound for the Canadian port of Prince Rupert. The Coast Guard investigation is ongoing.
Wan Hai 503 heading for Jebel Ali port
The containership Wan Hai 503, which suffered a fire on board on 9 June off the coast of Kerala in India, has been adrift for more than two and a half months. After Indian authorities refused to grant a port of refuge and subsequently requested the ship to leave territorial waters, it attempted to dock at Hambantota in Sri Lanka. However, entry was denied in the face of a demand for a 3.25 billion dollar guarantee, an amount deemed disproportionate by international standards. The owner initially considered Penang in Malaysia, but ultimately opted for Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates, which has adequate facilities for handling hazardous cargo. The ship is still off Sri Lanka, where salvors are working on draining hold number five.
Container shipping facing a decade of overcapacity
Container shipping is bracing for a prolonged period of oversupply. According to figures from Linerlytica, the orderbook for new vessels has reached its highest level since 2010, equivalent to 31.7 per cent of the current fleet, with about one million teu due for delivery by the end of 2025. Analysts recall that a similar situation between 2004 and 2009 led to a decade of overcapacity that proved difficult to absorb. Volatility remains high, with the seasonal peak in shipments brought forward to June and July due to US tariffs, and carriers still unable to agree on coordinated capacity management. Linerlytica forecasts a decline in deliveries in 2026-27, followed by a new wave of vessels in 2028-29, exacerbated by the near-total halt in demolitions.
Premier Alliance reorganises MS2 service
Premier Alliance (One, Hmm and Yang Ming) has announced a restructuring of its MS2 service, linking Asia, the Mediterranean and the Pacific, with direct effects on European ports. The route has been divided into two segments: the new MD2 will connect Asia and the Mediterranean via the Cape of Good Hope, calling at Tangier, Valencia, Barcelona, Genoa and Fos. The first departure, with the Hyundai Neptune (10,055 teu), is scheduled for 7 September from Busan. The remaining transpacific section will merge into the AG1 service, forming the new GS2, operational from 4 September with the YM Wonderland (14,000 teu). On the Asia–Middle East front, the revised structure will start on 8 September with the Hmm Daon (16,000 teu).
LH Cargo-Shein emissions agreement
In August 2025 Shein and Lufthansa Cargo signed a memorandum of understanding to promote sustainable solutions in air freight. The agreement foresees the development, within six months, of concrete initiatives, including the large-scale adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (Saf) for the e-commerce giant’s shipments. Lufthansa Cargo will provide sustainability certificates based on externally verified standards, documenting emission reductions compared to conventional fuel.
Trucking between Turkey and Jordan via Iraq
A convoy of eight trucks operating under the TIR system arrived in Amman, Jordan, from Gaziantep in Turkey after crossing Iraq. The operation, carried out by Turkish operator Dmn Lojistik, enabled delivery in less than five days, confirming the growing popularity of this Middle Eastern route. Opened earlier this year, the Iraqi border for TIR transits is attracting numerous operators thanks to the time and cost savings compared with maritime or multimodal alternatives. “This is an important milestone that consolidates a safe and efficient corridor between Turkey and Jordan and opens new prospects for our services,” said Dmn Lojistik general manager Serdar Duman.
€45 million funding for Duisburg
KfW Ipex-Bank has granted €45 million to Duisburger Hafen AG through the extension and expansion of existing loans. The funds will be used for new infrastructure projects in the Duisburg inland port, including warehouses and facilities, strengthening the German port’s role as a European intermodal hub. Duisport holds a 15 per cent stake in Interporto Trieste and since 2024 has operated the Duisburg Gateway Terminal, offering trimodal transport and direct links with the ports of Antwerp, Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
