Arkas Line doubles capacity on US route
Turkish shipping company Arkas Line has strengthened its US Express Service (Usx) between Turkey and the US East Coast by doubling transport capacity with the addition of the vessel Emma A to its fleet. With a capacity of 2,837 teu and equipped with a scrubber to reduce sulphur emissions, Emma A joins Sine A (2,824 teu). The Usx service now operates weekly with seven ships on the rotation Mersin–Istanbul–Izmit–Gemlik–Izmir–New York–Norfolk–Savannah–Mersin. Arkas Line continues its expansion strategy by providing connections between the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Africa, Red Sea and Indian ports and the US market.
US-China: first trade talks of the Trump era
The United States and China will hold their first trade talks this week since Donald Trump took office as president, following more than a month of reciprocal tariffs exceeding 100 percent. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Switzerland. Beijing has confirmed the meeting, stressing the need for mutual respect, equal consultations and shared benefits.
Chinese maritime trade grows in late April
China’s trade flows increased at the end of April despite US tariffs. According to the Chinese Ministry of Transport, the country’s ports handled 6.7 million containers in the week ending 27 April, a 7 percent rise compared to the same period in 2024. A similar pace was recorded in the previous four weeks. Since maritime transport accounts for the vast majority of China’s exports, the figures signal strong export performance for April, with official data expected on Friday. Companies have reportedly ramped up shipments to Southeast Asia and other regions not subject to US tariffs.
Sales collapse for Shein and Temu
Sales for Chinese e-commerce platforms Shein and Temu have collapsed following price increases introduced to offset the new US tariffs. According to Bloomberg Second Measure, in the week from 25 April to 1 May, Shein saw a 23 percent drop in sales compared to the previous seven days, while Temu fell by 17 percent. The collapse comes after weeks of high demand, with US consumers having stockpiled in anticipation of the price hikes. The downturn reflects the immediate impact of the crackdown on the de minimis regime, abolished by former president Trump to tax low-value Chinese shipments.
Oocl orders 14 dual-fuel container ships
Shipping company Oocl (Orient Overseas Container Line) announced on 29 April a 3.08 billion dollar order for the construction of 14 new methanol-powered container ships, each with a capacity of 18,500 teu. The ships will feature dual-fuel engines capable of running on both methanol and conventional marine fuels and will be built at Chinese shipyards Nantong Cosco Khi Ship Engineering (5 units) and Dalian Cosco Khi Ship Engineering (9 units). Delivery is scheduled between the third quarter of 2028 and the third quarter of 2029.
Lidl expands logistics hub in Biandrate
Lidl will invest 1.5 billion euros in Italy between 2025 and 2027 to strengthen its Italian logistics network and open 150 new stores. Key initiatives include expanding the Biandrate logistics centre (Novara), which will see a 30 percent increase in capacity. The upgrade is part of a broader strategy that also involves the hubs in Massa Lombarda and, in the future, Molfetta. The operation supports the goal of reaching one thousand supermarkets by 2030, up from the current 750. Biandrate plays a crucial role in supplying stores in northern Italy.
Venetian ports report growth in the first quarter
In the first quarter of 2025, ports in the Veneto region reported positive performance, with a 4.3 percent increase in Venice and a 29.3 percent surge in Chioggia compared to the same period in 2024. The North Adriatic Sea Port Authority reported 5.6 million tonnes handled and 124,194 teu moved between January and March. Between April 2024 and March 2025, the system surpassed 25 million tonnes. Venice saw notable growth in solid bulk cargoes (up 21.2 percent) and cereals (up 220 percent). Increases were also recorded in the agri-food sector (up 41.9 percent) and steel industry (up 15.5 percent). Cruise passenger numbers fell by 39.5 percent, while general cargo in Chioggia rose by 58.5 percent.
