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US probe's Apex over suspected role in AI chip 'smuggling' to China

Singapore-based Apex Logistics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) is being investigated by the US authorities over its suspected role in supplying AI chips to China. The news broke earlier today with Bloomberg citing sources familiar with the matter. Since 2022, the US has placed restrictions on the sale of high-end AI chips to China. This has more recently included H20 chips specifically designed specifically for the AI segments, over fears that they could be used to support China's military. Responding to questions from The Loadstar, a spokesperson for K+N said: "Kuehne+Nagel confirms that Apex Logistics is fully cooperating with the relevant authorities regarding this isolated matter within a wider US government investigation. "Kuehne+Nagel has not been contacted by the authorities and, as this matter does not relate to Kuehne+Nagel and remains subject to an ongoing investigation, we are unable to comment further." If there is a case to answer, it would mark the first action against a freight transport and logistics company for its alleged participation in the illegal semiconductor trade. In a statement to Bloomberg, Apex said that it was aware of the "US' concern for and interest in a small number of shipments that Apex handled in 2024 and which may have involved materials and equipment which were ultimately forwarded to prohibited locations". The firm added that it was cooperating fully with the US investigation and is "committed to complete compliance" with all relevant regulations. The 'smuggling' routes that the US suspects Apex may have facilitated entail the transport of Nvidia-powered AI servers from Taiwan to the US, then to an Asian destination outside of China, before delivery to Hong Kong. The servers were then driven from Hong Kong into mainland China.

DHL cargo plane forced to make emergency landing at LAX

At around 11pm local time last night, a DHL cargo plane made an emergency landing at LA Airport. Flames could be seen on the tyres of the aircraft as it touched down after leaving Phoenix, Arizona. Emergency crews rushed to the aircraft, forcing one of the runways to temporarily close. The cause of the fire on the aircraft is not yet known, and it is believed that no one has been injured.

China-Europe freighter capacity down nearly 30%

China-to-Europe freighter capacity is down nearly 30% from June due to a reduction in e-commerce imports into Europe, shows new data from Rotate. E-commerce imports into Europe in July dropped 24% in July drop compared to June. This followed the EU's introduction on 1 July of a €3 customs duty on low-value parcels imported from outside the EU. As a result, direct China-Europe freighter capacity immediately fell 10% compared to June levels. Now, China-to-Europe freighter capacity is consistently 28% below June levels and "no clear sign of recovery", said Rotate. Alongside this, according to the latest data from TAC Index, rates on the busiest lanes out of China to Europe have become firmer, even as volumes have been under pressure due to the EU customs duty. Overall utilisation down While has been some rerouting to the transpacific, overall global freighter utilisation is down as most lost capacity has not been redeployed elsewhere, said Rotate. In the case of Boeing 747-400Fs, which typically fly ad hoc, utilisation is down by 13.8%. Freighter capacity declines are concentrated in e-commerce gateways. In Europe, Madrid is down 78%, Budapest is down 58% and Liege is down 35%. Meanwhile, in China, freighter capacity at Ürümqi Tianshan International Airport is down 72%, and 28% at Hong Kong. Despite how the e-commerce market has changed to date, e-commerce shipping may recover within 12 months, suggests Rotate. This has been the case in the US, which ended de minimis treatment for shipments from China and Hong Kong on 2 May 2025 and globally on 29 August 2025, and Brazil, which ended de minimis on 1 August 2024.