Porti & ambiente — le notizie raccolte

With shipping’s peak season now well under way, container freight spot rates resumed their steep upward trajectory this week on the main east-west trades, following a series of carrier price hikes introduced on 1 July. However, compared with the double-digit increases seen a fortnight ago, after the last round of price announcements – which led Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) to record strong double-digit week-on-week spot rate increases on the transpacific and Asia-Europe trades – this week’s increases were more moderate. The WCI’s Shanghai-Rotterdam leg increased 7% week on week, to finish at $4,682 per 40ft, while the Shanghai-Genoa route was up 10% on the previous week, to $6,360 per 40ft. Source: Drewry Supply Chain Advisors While there is little question that the early peak season caught many Asia-Europe shippers and their forwarders by surprise, several factors suggest the market is nearing the apex of peak season pricing. First, the “Fortnight Brace” principle outlined byLoadstar Premiumthis week appears to be still be at work. Today’s Shanghai Containerised Freight Index (SCFI) – which records rates quoted for the forthcoming week and, as such, can indicate the behaviour of the following week’s WCI (as it did last week) – shows spot rates to the Mediterranean up by 1% and flat to North Europe. Secondly, demand now appears to be steady rather than soaring, and one Asia-Europe forwarder toldThe Loadstarthis week that some carriers were beginning to discount on next week’s bookings. “The first half of July is looking like it might be the peak – we’re already seeing reductions come in for 6 July; bookings are steady and at the moment we’re not seeing much in the way of problems with bookings and space for July,” he said. However, he added, it would still take a few weeks for carriers to work through the pools of containers rolled during June. “We know there is still plenty of rolled cargo to move, so we’re not expecting rates to fall off a cliff just yet, but we do expect rates to start to soften through August,” he said. “I think we are reaching the peak level,” another forwarder toldThe Loadstar.“Another clue here is the validity a few of the lines are now offering, no longer weekly, and now to the end of July, which indicates no further increases. I suspect, we may see some slight decreases. “The carriers are still managing allocation agreements closely. However, not as many rollings, which does suggest a sign of the chaos starting to ease going into August,” she said. A third sign is that, as the new mid-July FAK (freight all kinds) levels being announced by carriers are substantially less of an increase than in June – for example, MSC published an FAK rate of $7,700 per 40ft to North Europe for 15 July, compared with $7,500 for 1 July and $6,000 on 15 June. However, it is a different story on the transpacific trades this week, as the peak season appears to have coincided with a short wave of US importers front-loading to avoid some hefty mid-July peak season surcharges – South Korean carrier HMM announced a transpacific PSS of $3,000 per 40ft for 15 July. “Carriers are testing the market’s upper limits by introducing an additional $1,500 GRI for the first half of July,” noted US west coast freight forwarder Freight Right. “This triggered a massive, last-minute rush at the end of June as shippers scrambled to push containers out of China to avoid the premium. “Importers have fundamentally compressed the typical multi-month peak season – fearing prolonged volatility, businesses pulled-forward orders they did not immediately need, clogging current vessel capacity with goods destined for sales cycles months down the line,” added the firm. The WCI’s Shanghai-Los Angeles leg was up 10% week on week, to end at $6,349 per 40ft, while its Shanghai-New York route rose 11%, to $7,902 per 40ft. And today’s SCFI indicates further increases of a similar magnitude can be expected next week, with its Shanghai-US west coast route up 9%, and up 12% to the US east coast. “Ocean container shipping is running hot on the transpacific, with offered capacity from Far East to US west coast hitting an all-time high this week and spot rates showing another double-digit increase, to sit +253% compared with pre-Strait of Hormuz crisis at the end of February,” Xeneta chief analyst Peter Sand said. “The combination of record capacity deployment and further rate increases on the transpacific tells us demand is strong and that carriers are scrambling to satisfy it,” he added. According to Xeneta data, “carriers are adding capacity fast”: MSC reinstated its transpacific Pearl service on 13 June, withMSC LYSE Vthe first vessel to call at Long Beach on 30 June; while Yang Ming and ONE are running extra-loaders. “More capacity is welcome and will help shippers to move goods more reliably, but it is not enough to reverse the upward [pricing] trend,” Mr Sand added. This article is © The Loadstar. Reproduction, rewriting, or derivative use requires a license. Contact[email protected]for licensing enquiries.

The news that German terminal operator Eurogate has agreed to sell 20% of its flagship Hamburg terminal CTH is significant on a variety of fronts, including paving the way for a possible future takeover of Eurogate by its new partner. Under the terms of deal disclosed this week, Hapag-Lloyd’s terminal operating subsidiary Hanseatic Global Terminals (HGT) is set to acquire a 20% stake in CTH, and will likely join CMA CGM as a shareholder in the facility, after it similarly agreed ...

Indian exporters and forwarders moving freight to Latin America are grappling with major supply chain disruption amid a sharp drop in ship space availability. According to market sources, loading allocations for India have been drastically reduced in recent weeks, as carriers recalibrated their tonnage strategies to cash in on the earlier-than-usual Asia peak season. “Container lines have been holding back freight already cleared for export at the loading ports for the past few weeks,” one freight forwarder toldThe Loadstar. “There is a serious shipping crisis,” the source complained. As a result, freight rates ex-India to major LatAm ports have shot up dramatically. For example, carriers are offering space at prices as high as $9,000 per 40ft to Santos and $8,500 to Paranagua, in Brazil, from Nhava Sheva (JNPA), sources said. Indian trade sources have also reported sizeable cargo backlogs due to shippers’ inability to secure space from carriers operating on the tradelane. Sources also believe higher shipping volumes have also been fuelled by a demand pickup for Indian exports into LatAm, with Brazil, Mexico and Colombia the major buying markets. Capacity out of Asia for LatAm markets is traditionally controlled by Chinese export trade swings. India’s export trade with the region has gathered pace in the past few years, propelled in large part by automobile exports. According to available data, Indian merchandise exports to Latin American by value were up 8% in the fiscal year 2025-26 despite the impact of tariff shocks. Similarly, after a sluggish performance last fiscal year through the end of March, India’s overall good,s export trade bounced back in the first two months of fiscal year 2026-27, up some 16% year on year by value, according to new provisional government data. “The continued strong demand from both traditional and emerging markets reflects increasing global confidence in Indian products and services,” said SC Ralhan, president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations. “The growing presence of Indian exporters in diverse geographies is helping strengthen India’s position in global trade and reducing dependence on a limited number of markets,” he added. As Indian containerised export volumes see a strong upward movement, shippers now increasingly run the risk of a growing imbalance in supply and demand for shipping capacity across tradelanes, according to market participants. “Supply chain reliability and resilience are critical to supporting the trade expansion,” one container industry analyst toldThe Loadstar. Yard congestion and cargo clearance slowdowns at JNPA and Mundra ports had also frustrated Indian exporters/importers in recent months. This article is © The Loadstar. Reproduction, rewriting, or derivative use requires a license. Contact[email protected]for licensing enquiries.

Circa 157 milioni di euro spesi e rendicontati con pieno raggiungimento dei target previsti al 30 giugno 2026. È il bilancio dell’attività dell’Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mare di Sardegna nell’attuazione dei progetti finanziati dal Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza e dal Fondo Complementare. Un risultato che testimonia il complesso processo di modernizzazione del sistema portuale sardo attraverso investimenti in infrastrutture, innovazione tecnologica, digitalizzazione e sostenibilità ambientale. Tra gli interventi di maggiore rilievo figura il nuovo Terminal Ro-Ro dell’avamporto ovest del Porto Canale di Cagliari, opera dal valore complessivo di circa 338 milioni di euro, di cui oltre 137 milioni e 350 mila euro (nel mese di maggio sono stati aggiunti ulteriori 38 milioni rispetto ai 99 milioni e 350 mila iniziali) finanziati con risorse del Fondo Complementare al PNRR e PNRR-ZES, già liquidati entro il termine fissato. Dall’avvio del cantiere nel mese di marzo 2024, il cronoprogramma dei lavori è stato completato per circa l’80 per cento, con un anticipo di diversi mesi rispetto alla scadenza contrattuale. Strettamente collegata all’intervento è la realizzazione della strada di accesso al Terminal Ro-Ro, finanziata con circa 10 milioni di euro di fondi PNRR destinati alle ZES. L’opera, già completata e collaudata, consente un collegamento diretto tra il nuovo terminal e la viabilità principale, favorendo una gestione più efficiente dei flussi logistici e dei mezzi pesanti. Ma anche un fondamentale raccordo tra il comparto rinfuse e il porto commerciale, contribuendo ad alleggerire il traffico sulla SS 195 e a migliorare l’accessibilità dell’intera area portuale cagliaritana. Traguardo raggiunto anche per il porto di Oristano – Santa Giusta, dove sono stati recentemente ultimati e collaudati i lavori del progetto per il Centro Servizi Polifunzionale per la Logistica Agroalimentare (CE.S.P.L.A.), finanziati con oltre 7,6 milioni di euro di fondi PNRR dedicati allo sviluppo della logistica nei settori agroalimentare, pesca e acquacoltura, silvicoltura, floricoltura e vivaismo. L’intervento ha consentito il completo recupero e l’adeguamento dell’ex Caserma dei Vigili del Fuoco, destinata a ospitare gli uffici dell’Autorità di Sistema Portuale, il Punto di Controllo Frontaliero del Ministero della Salute e una moderna sala convegni rimodulabile per servizi agli ospiti delle future crociere. Nell’ambito dei processi di transizione digitale, entro il 30 giugno è stato raggiunto anche l’obiettivo per la realizzazione della fase evolutiva del Sardinia Port Community System (SPCS), piattaforma digitale avanzata finalizzata a migliorare l’efficienza complessiva delle operazioni portuali, semplificare e velocizzare le procedure amministrative e garantire una gestione più integrata e trasparente dei flussi informativi. Il nuovo ecosistema digitale è stato finanziato con 1 milione di euro di fondi che rientrano nella misura dedicata alla digitalizzazione della catena logistica. Sul fronte della sostenibilità ambientale sono stati completati e liquidati gli interventi del programma Green Mobility, che prevede la sostituzione dei veicoli a motore endotermico con mezzi elettrici (per un importo di 450 mila euro) e l’installazione di colonnine di ricarica rapida nei porti di Cagliari, Olbia, Porto Torres, Golfo Aranci, Santa Teresa Gallura, Oristano, Arbatax e Portovesme (585 mila euro). Per quanto riguarda il programma di elettrificazione delle banchine (Cold Ironing) nei porti di Cagliari, Olbia, Porto Torres, Golfo Aranci, Portovesme e Santa Teresa Gallura, finanziato con oltre 70 milioni di euro del Fondo Complementare al PNRR, i lavori saranno completati entro la fine del 2026, nonostante la recente proroga sui cronoprogrammi del “PNC investimento 11”, concessa dal Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti al 31 dicembre 2027. Tempistica aggiornata anche per il progetto sperimentale “Millepiedi”, sviluppato nello scalo di Porto Torres e finanziato con 3,8 milioni di euro di fondi PNRR. Per il completamento dell’opera, che punta a produrre energia elettrica dal moto ondoso attraverso un innovativo sistema applicato alle infrastrutture portuali, è stata concessa una proroga di soli 30 giorni a compensazione delle limitazioni operative del cantiere dovute al maltempo e alla contestuale presenza di altre attività in area portuale. “Il raggiungimento di tutti i target fissati al 30 giugno rappresenta un risultato di grande importanza per l’intero sistema portuale sardo – spiega Domenico Bagalà, Presidente dell’Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mare di Sardegna –. Il consistente importo di circa 157 milioni di euro spesi e rendicontati evidenzia la capacità dell’AdSP di programmare, gestire e portare avanti interventi complessi nel pieno rispetto delle scadenze, trasformando le risorse assegnate in opere concrete, innovazione e sviluppo. Continueremo a lavorare con la stessa determinazione per completare gli interventi finanziati dal PNRR ancora in corso, per un importo di circa 74 milioni di euro, relativi all’elettrificazione delle banchine dei porti di sistema e ai progetti innovativi legati alla transizione energetica, come il Millepiedi di Porto Torres, che rappresentano una sfida altrettanto fondamentale per il futuro della portualità dell’Isola”.

Shipping lines are adding capacity to the Asia-South America lane, as seen from assignation of the latest newbuilding deliveries. Of the six known deliveries, two ships,Maersk TokyoandCMA CGM Copper, will be deployed to Asia-South America services. Delivered from HD Hyundai Samho, the 13,136 teuCMA CGM Copperis the second last among 12 methanol-enabled sister ships that CMA CGM commissioned. CMA CGM Copperhas been sent to the Asia-West Coast South America ACSA 1 service that the French line operates jointly with Cosco and OOCL, joining a sister ship,CMA CGM Platinum. Alphaliner said the ship series was well suited to the South American trade, as they offered significant reefer capacity with their 2,100 plugs. The 8,900 teuMaersk Tokyo, ordered by Japanese tonnage provider Nissen Kaiun at Japan Marine United (now part of Imabari Shipbuilding), for long-term charter to Maersk Line, has been deployed to the Danish operator’s Asia-West Coast South America AC 3 service. MB Shipbrokers said in a report last week that South American containerised import volumes had maintained strong growth throughout 2026. From January to April 2026, total imports increased by 9.1% year on year, compared with the same period in 2025. Following an 8.6% y-o-y increase in Q1 26, imports accelerated further in April, rising 10.5% yoy, confirming a strong start to Q2 26. Import growth was primarily driven by shipments from China, which increased by nearly 20% year on year. Greater China remained South America’s largest export origin, accounting for 40% of the region’s total imports. Brazil remained the key driver of South American import demand, with imports increasing 14% year on year during the January-April period. During the first four months of 2026, Brazil accounted for 26% of the region’s total import volumes . Delivery of ultra-large ships continued to be slow, reflecting a decline in such orders in 2022 to 2023. The sole giant ship hitting the water the past week was the 24,000 teuOOCL Wisdom. Built by Nantong Cosco KHI Ship Engineering,OOCL Wisdomis the largest methanol dual-fuelled ship and will be assigned to OOCL’s Asia-North Europe service. Another ship, the 16,188 teuCMA CGM Berenice, was delivered by Jiangnan Shipyard and will be sent to CMA CGM’s Asia-Mediterranean service. One feeder, the 1,208 teuMila Green, was delivered by Jiangsu Dajin Heavy Industry and will be operated by JSV Logistics on an intra-Mediterranean service. Finally, a reefer ship,Snow Flake, will be operated by Sweden’s Cool Carriers to transport fruits worldwide. This article is © The Loadstar. Reproduction, rewriting, or derivative use requires a license. Contact[email protected]for licensing enquiries.

Reduced staffing, facility closures, and parked freight over this weekend’s Independence Day holiday in the US are expected to create favourable conditions for organised crime gangs to target freight, according to Verisk CargoNet, with today expected to be the peak. The theft prevention specialist analysed 256 cargo thefts recorded between 1 and 7 July in the years between 2021 and 2025, and found activity peaked on 3 July, before falling during the holiday itself. “The 4 July holiday creates a predictable disruption in the supply chain,” warned Keith Lewis, VP operations at Verisk CargoNet. “Cargo thieves understand when freight is likely to be parked, when facilities may be closed, and when normal verification procedures may be under pressure.” The warning comes as the value of stolen freight continues to rise sharply, despite a decline in incident numbers. Verisk CargoNet estimates cargo theft losses exceeded $359m in the first six months of 2026, the average value of stolen cargo reaching around $341,500. The company said organised crime gangs were increasingly targeting high-value commodities, like industrial metals such as copper, molybdenum, antimony, tungsten, and zinc, alongside enterprise IT hardware including RAM modules, fibre-optic transceivers, storage drives, and server blades, with many individual shipments these days worth more than $1m. Geographically, California, Texas, and Illinois remain the main hotspots for theft during the first week of July, with San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties, Dallas County, Maricopa County, Shelby County, and Cook County among the most frequently hit areas. CargoNet said these locations also reflected strong secondary markets for stolen goods. Traditional cargo theft methods continue to dominate over holiday periods, with unattended trucks and trailers remaining prime targets. The company said food and beverage shipments, household goods, electronics, vehicle accessories, tyres, appliances, and non-alcoholic and energy drinks among the commodities most frequently stolen. However, CargoNet warned that organised crime groups were increasingly combining physical theft with sophisticated fraud designed to infiltrate transport companies and broker verification systems. According to the report, criminals are increasingly compromising cloud-based business phone systems, allowing them to make and receive calls using legitimate carrier telephone numbers and, in some cases, monitor live conversations. The company has also seen increased attempts to gain access to motor carrier accounts on compliance platforms used by brokers to vet carriers before awarding loads. Techniques include credential theft, remote access software, and social engineering attacks that persuade carriers to see fraudsters as authorised users. “These schemes are becoming more personal, more technical, and more convincing,” Mr Lewis said. “Fraud actors are no longer relying only on spoofed emails or fake documents. They are trying to operate from inside trusted phone systems and compliance workflows that brokers use to validate carriers. “Around a holiday weekend, when teams are short-staffed and decisions are being made quickly, that false appearance of legitimacy becomes especially dangerous.” This article is © The Loadstar. Reproduction, rewriting, or derivative use requires a license. Contact[email protected]for licensing enquiries.