📌 Weekly Logistics Highlights (March 8–13, 2026)

This week, global logistics remained focused on Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz disruptions, with carriers solidifying rerouting strategies and ports accelerating digital and green transformations. China’s export recovery gained momentum, Southeast Asia advanced cross‑border trade facilitation, and the U.S. continued tariff adjustments. The Middle East saw further capacity shifts to air and transshipment hubs.

China

Hong Kong, China

🔹 HK Green Shipping Fund Receives 30+ Applications (Mar 10)
Hong Kong’s HK$16 billion Green Shipping Fund received over 30 applications within the first week, covering methanol vessel retrofitting and shore power installation projects. The Marine Department aims to approve the first batch of subsidies by April, supporting the port’s 2030 decarbonization target. Industry players expect the fund to accelerate the region’s transition to low‑carbon maritime operations.

🔹 HKIA Cargo Volumes Surge 18% on Transshipment Demand (Mar 12)
Hong Kong International Airport handled 450,000 tons of cargo this week, an 18% increase, driven by transshipment demand from Southeast Asia to North America. Freighters operating at full capacity utilized night slots to clear backlogs. The airport’s cool chain facilities supported a 25% rise in pharmaceutical shipments, reinforcing its role as a global air cargo hub.

Shenzhen, China

🔹 Yantian Port Expands Methanol Bunkering to 6 Weekly (Mar 9)
Shenzhen Yantian Port increased green methanol bunkering operations to six per week, servicing mainly Asia‑Europe liner vessels. The port signed long‑term supply agreements with two major fuel suppliers to stabilize pricing. Methanol bunkering volume reached 2,000 tons this week, cutting carbon emissions by an estimated 1,400 tons and strengthening the Greater Bay Area’s green shipping credentials.

🔹 Shenzhen Reports 22% Export Growth in Jan–Feb (Mar 11)
Shenzhen’s exports grew 22% year‑on-year in the first two months of 2026, driven by new energy vehicles, electronics, and cross‑border e‑commerce. The city’s logistics sector handled over 1.2 million TEUs in February despite the holiday lull. Officials attributed the growth to optimized customs procedures and strong demand from ASEAN and Middle Eastern markets.

Guangzhou, China

🔹 Nansha Port Launches Middle East Ro‑Ro Service (Mar 10)
Guangzhou Nansha Port launched a dedicated Ro‑Ro service to the Middle East, departing twice weekly for Jeddah and Dubai. The service prioritizes Chinese NEV exports, with capacity for 1,500 vehicles per voyage. Automated loading systems reduced port stay to under 12 hours. The new route offsets Red Sea shipping uncertainties and supports the continued growth of NEV exports.

🔹 Guangzhou Airport Cargo Volume to Middle East Up 25% (Mar 13)
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport reported a 25% weekly increase in air cargo volume to the Middle East, driven by newly launched flights to Dubai and Jeddah. Electronics and pharmaceuticals accounted for 60% of shipments. The airport’s 24/7 customs clearance and cool chain facilities ensured timely delivery, with transit times averaging 10 hours.

Shanghai, China

🔹 COSCO Adjusts Middle East Network, Adds Jeddah Calls (Mar 11)
COSCO Shipping added two extra weekly calls at Jeddah Islamic Port to handle cargo diverted from Gulf ports. The company now operates 14 Asia‑Middle East services rerouted around Africa, with transit times extended by 8–10 days. COSCO reported a 95% booking rate for April sailings, indicating sustained demand despite higher freight rates.

🔹 Yangshan Port Trials 5G‑Enabled Remote Crane Operations (Mar 9)
Yangshan Deep Water Port successfully trialed 5G‑enabled remote crane operations across 10 berths, reducing manual intervention by 40%. The system allows a single operator to control multiple cranes simultaneously, improving efficiency during peak hours. The port plans to expand remote operations to all berths by year‑end, addressing labor shortages and supporting volume growth.

Tianjin, China

🔹 Tianjin Port Green Corridor Covers 35% of Traffic (Mar 12)
Tianjin Port’s green shipping corridor now covers 35% of total port traffic, with 45 LNG‑ and methanol‑powered vessels using the facility this week. The port completed an additional 30 shore power connections, bringing the total to 130. The initiative reduced carbon emissions by an estimated 3,000 tons this month, supporting Northern China’s sustainable port development goals.

🔹 Binhai Airport Adds Second Weekly Jeddah Flight (Mar 10)
Tianjin Binhai International Airport increased cargo flights to Jeddah to four weekly, responding to strong demand for auto parts and electronics. B747 freighters now provide weekly capacity of 1,200 tons, with transit times under 11 hours. The expanded service further alleviates pressure on sea routes affected by Hormuz disruptions.

Qingdao, China

🔹 Qingdao Port Green Fuel Bunkering Reaches 10 Weekly (Mar 11)
Qingdao Port completed 10 green methanol and LNG bunkering operations this week, supplying over 1,000 tons of alternative fuels. The port offered berthing discounts totaling RMB 2 million to eco‑friendly vessels. It aims to become Northern China’s largest green fuel supply hub, with bunkering volume expected to double by Q3 2026.

🔹 Qingdao–Osaka Cargo Flights Launch (Mar 13)
Qingdao Airlines launched three weekly cargo flights to Osaka, Japan, using B737‑800BCF freighters. The service focuses on electronics and fresh agricultural products, with a dedicated cool chain lane ensuring temperature control. Weekly capacity reached 450 tons, supporting growing trade between Shandong Province and Japan’s Kansai region.

Vietnam

🔹 Haiphong Port Throughput Up 20% in March (Mar 12)
Haiphong Port handled 320,000 TEUs in the first half of March, a 20% increase month‑on‑month, as factories maintained full production. The port’s 24/7 operations and streamlined customs reduced average dwell time to 2.5 days. Exports to the U.S. and EU rose 18%, driven by textiles, electronics, and footwear.

🔹 Vietnam Approves $2B Logistics Infrastructure Plan (Mar 10)
Vietnam’s government approved a $2 billion logistics infrastructure plan focused on upgrading ports, railways, and border crossings. Key projects include expanding Cai Mep port and modernizing the Lang Son rail link with China. The plan aims to reduce logistics costs by 15% by 2030 and position Vietnam as a regional transshipment hub.

South Korea

Busan, South Korea

🔹 Busan Port Transshipment Volume Hits Record 620K TEUs (Mar 13)
Busan Port’s weekly transshipment volume reached a record 620,000 TEUs, up 15% from the previous week, as shippers continued diverting cargo through Northeast Asian hubs. The port added eight cranes and extended operating hours to handle the surge. On‑time performance remained above 95%, supported by real‑time data sharing with shipping lines.

🔹 Busan Port Signs MOU with Microsoft for AI Logistics (Mar 11)
Busan Port Authority signed an MOU with Microsoft to develop AI‑based predictive logistics systems. The collaboration will use machine learning to optimize berth allocation and reduce vessel waiting times. A pilot program is set to launch in Q3 2026, aiming to improve port efficiency by 20% and strengthen Busan’s smart port capabilities.

Incheon, South Korea

🔹 Incheon Airport Air Cargo to Middle East Jumps 45% (Mar 12)
Incheon International Airport reported a 45% weekly increase in air cargo volume to the Middle East, driven by four weekly flights to Jeddah and Dubai. High‑value electronics and pharmaceuticals accounted for 70% of shipments. The airport’s dedicated cool chain and priority loading services ensured transit times of under 10 hours, offsetting sea transport delays.

🔹 Incheon Port Launches Smart Logistics Platform (Mar 10)
Incheon Port launched a smart logistics platform integrating real‑time cargo tracking, customs clearance, and berth scheduling. The platform reduced documentation processing time by 50% and improved supply chain visibility for 200 logistics companies. Over 1,500 TEUs were processed via the platform in its first week, supporting the port’s digital transformation goals.

United States

🔹 U.S. Extends Tariff Review Period to 180 Days (Mar 9)
The U.S. government extended the temporary 10% tariff review period from 150 to 180 days, allowing more time for trade negotiations. The decision aims to balance domestic industry protection with supply chain stability. Trans‑Pacific spot rates remained elevated, up 10% since early March, as shippers locked in capacity ahead of potential further adjustments.

🔹 LA Port Throughput Hits 500K TEUs, Up 22% (Mar 13)
The Port of Los Angeles handled 500,000 TEUs this week, a 22% increase, as post‑holiday imports continued to surge. Twenty‑four automated cranes and extended gates reduced truck turn times to under 60 minutes. The port’s rail ramp processed 35,000 containers, with dwell time holding at three days despite higher volumes.

Bangladesh

🔹 Chittagong Port Clears Backlog, Dwell Time Falls to 4 Days (Mar 11)
Chittagong Port reduced container dwell time to four days after clearing a month‑long backlog of textile machinery and raw materials. The port operated at 130% capacity, using 30 additional cranes and extended hours. A priority lane for garment exports ensured timely shipments to EU buyers ahead of the spring season.

🔹 Bangladesh Railway Launches Dhaka–Chittagong Container Trains (Mar 9)
Bangladesh Railway launched daily container trains between Dhaka ICD and Chittagong Port, cutting transit time from 12 hours by road to 6 hours by rail. Each train carries 60 TEUs, reducing highway congestion and logistics costs by 20%. The service supports the garment industry’s just‑in‑time production needs amid strong export demand.

Myanmar

🔹 Yangon Port Imports from China Up 30% (Mar 12)
Yangon Port reported a 30% weekly increase in imports from China, driven by consumer goods, electronics, and construction materials. The port’s simplified “four‑document” verification and bilingual pre‑declaration portal reduced average clearance time to 20 hours. Cross‑border trade volumes are expected to remain strong as Myanmar’s economy recovers post‑holiday.

🔹 Myanmar Railways Adds Night Freight Services (Mar 10)
Myanmar Railways introduced night freight services on the Mandalay–Yangon route, increasing daily trips to 10. Refurbished locomotives and expanded siding capacity reduced transit time to 10 hours. The service mainly transports rice, pulses, and construction materials, easing daytime highway congestion and supporting agricultural supply chains.

Middle East

Red Sea & Strait of Hormuz (Mar 8–13)

🔹 Hormuz Transit Remains at 90% Below Pre‑Crisis Levels
Commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained around 90% below pre‑crisis levels, with only 10–15 vessels transiting daily. Major carriers maintained suspension of bookings to Gulf ports, with rerouting around Africa now fully embedded in schedules. About 200 container ships (500,000 TEU) remained diverted or held at alternative hubs.

🔹 Rerouting Solidifies, Transit Times Extend by 10–14 Days
All mainline services to the Middle East continued rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope, adding 10–14 days to voyages. Carriers extended war‑risk surcharges, with rates holding at $1,500–2,000/20GP and $3,000–4,000/40HC. Gulf‑bound freight rates remained 40%–50% above pre‑crisis levels.

🔹 Transshipment Hubs Scale Up Operations
Jeddah Islamic Port, Khor Fakkan, and Salalah handled over 300,000 TEUs of diverted Gulf‑bound cargo this week, up 25% from early March. Feeder services connecting these hubs to Gulf ports operated at full capacity, with transit times of 2–4 days. Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port maintained reduced operations, focusing on essential and transshipment cargo.

🔹 Air Cargo to Gulf Surges 50%, Rates Stabilize
Air cargo capacity to the Gulf region remained 50% above pre‑disruption levels, with new freighter routes from China, South Korea, and Europe fully operational. Spot air freight rates stabilized at $5–6/kg for general cargo, with priority shipments (electronics, pharma) commanding $8–10/kg. Transit times held at 8–12 hours, making air freight the preferred option for time‑sensitive goods.

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