SvenskaWe understand that an uncertain global environment creates challenges for your logistics operations. That is why we at TKL Logistics keep you informed about the latest developments that may impact your shipments – and how we can help you navigate this new reality. Here are the most important updates at the moment.
Ocean Freight
Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year has recently concluded, but its effects are still being felt within ocean freight from China. As operations gradually resume, bottlenecks often occur in both ports and carrier networks, which may lead to delays, capacity constraints, and temporarily increased freight rates. It is therefore reasonable to expect some continued impact on transit times in the coming weeks. The shutdown period also generally results in upward pressure on ocean freight rates during this time.
Blank Sailings
Due to the current economic climate, several carriers are experiencing overcapacity, which increases the risk of so-called blank sailings – cancelled departures where carriers remove scheduled sailings to better align capacity with demand. This is a common tool used to balance networks, but it may have operational consequences.
When sailings are cancelled, cargo is concentrated onto fewer vessels, which can result in rollovers (booked cargo being moved to a later departure), as well as imbalances in equipment availability, such as shortages of empty containers in certain export regions and temporary bottlenecks in transshipment ports.
Capacity management through blank sailings is a recurring feature in market situations like this, but as mentioned, it may cause disruptions in the supply chain. For you as a customer, this means that slightly increased lead time planning and flexibility—where possible—can help reduce the risk of delays impacting your operations.
Hapag-Lloyd to Acquire ZIM
Hapag-Lloyd has signed an agreement to acquire ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, strengthening its global capacity and reinforcing its position as one of the world’s largest container shipping lines. The transaction represents further market consolidation and may, over time, lead to adjustments in service networks and port calls as ZIM is integrated into Hapag-Lloyd’s structure and new alliance setups are implemented.
Tariff Developments – United States
The European Parliament has decided to pause the approval process of the trade agreement with the United States following new tariff announcements from Donald Trump, citing the need for clarity and legal certainty before proceeding.
In practice, this means that the two legislative proposals presented by the European Commission in August last year – including the removal of tariffs on U.S. goods valued at approximately EUR 3.8 billion – have now been put on hold. The process is paused indefinitely due to the fluctuating announcements from the U.S. in recent months regarding applicable tariff rates.
Overall, this creates continued uncertainty in EU–U.S. trade relations, which may affect import flows, cost structures, and planning conditions.
Update on EU Regulations
New Anti-Dumping Duties on Imports from China
The EU has decided to significantly increase anti-dumping duties on ceramic tableware and kitchenware from China. Anti-dumping duties are additional import tariffs imposed when goods are sold at abnormally low prices on the EU market, with the purpose of protecting European companies from unfair competition and distorted market conditions.
The new duty rate will be 79%, representing a substantial increase compared to previous levels of approximately 13–36%. For importers, this means higher costs and a need to ensure correct customs handling.
The regulation will enter into force on February 7, 2026, and applies to the relevant commodity codes under the current CN classification, with certain exceptions.
CBAM
The definitive CBAM period is now in effect. If you import goods covered by the regulation, we would like to remind you of the importance of ensuring that the correct Y-code is stated in the customs declaration to enable smooth processing.
For imports during 2026, the first CBAM report must be submitted no later than September 30, 2027, and the corresponding emissions must be covered through the purchase and surrender of CBAM certificates.
The European Commission has also proposed extending CBAM from 2028 to approximately 180 additional commodity codes, primarily downstream steel and aluminium products, and is considering further expansions in the future.
We are closely monitoring developments and will keep you continuously updated on changes that may impact your business. Should you have any questions or concerns, you are—as always—very welcome to contact us at TKL Logistics.
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