New rules on low-value European imports are already changing market behavior, but the full impact on volume has yet to be measured just one month after the elimination of the de minimis exemption.

While the AI equipment boom competes with e-commerce for air freight capacity out of Asia, the fast-growing tech shipments offer better yields and more opportunities for logistics providers.

The momentum generated by air and ocean demand during the quarter is expected to continue through the second half of the year, the company's CEO said.

Given the volatile market environment, airlines have started reviewing fuel surcharges every two weeks as most long-haul freighter operators prepare to pass on the latest spike in prices to customers.

The forwarder joins several other companies in the transport and logistics sector that have also raised their profit guidance following better-than-expected results.

The forwarder gathered momentum through the second quarter, largely driven by the ongoing integration of Schenker business and strong performance from the air freight and contract logistics divisions.

Mediterranean Shipping Co. is ordering the latest generation of widebody freighters from Boeing about four years after launching its air cargo division.

Carriers were due to restart flights to hubs in the region later in the summer, but a collapse of the ceasefire between the US and Iran has extended route suspensions.

Air freight carriers are scrambling to address the demand, injecting capacity into the fast-growing corridors out of Southeast Asia and Taiwan.

The integrator’s positive earnings momentum was led by its air cargo-focused Express division that saw pre-tax profit increase 63% year over year in the quarter.

But despite the initial drop in capacity, sources are not expecting a long-term decline in business on the westbound trade lane.

The takeover means CMA CGM subsidiary CEVA Logistics will become one of the top contract logistics providers in North America.

A key freight forwarders group warns that shifting liability onto forwarders – without them having operational control or corresponding insurance coverage – creates legal uncertainty.

The volume of high-tech goods from Asia to North America increased 70% year over year while US imports of e-commerce declined, according to aviation consultancy Aevean.

Demand is projected to expand between 3.5% and 5% a year over the next decade, outstripping the supply of air cargo capacity that is forecast to grow by just 1% a year.

With the EU about to follow the US in scrapping duty-free imports of low-value goods, the expanding regulatory clampdown is a turning point in how huge volumes of e-commerce exports from China are monitored.

With demand on the corridor continuing to outstrip available capacity constrained by the Middle East war, any resumption of hostilities would keep upward pressure on rates.

Global cargo capacity has largely recovered to pre-shock levels, while international routes have yet to be seriously affected by jet fuel shortages, according to Xeneta.