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Analysis: The $604m CH Robinson verdict - why the headline is bigger than the outcome

The freight world is on fire (figuratively) over last week's $604 million advisory verdict against CH Robinson. But before you panic, let's talk about why this number almost certainly will not survive as is; and why someone on the defense side should have never let this case reach a jury. Either way, CH Robinson should have used an AI lawyer... What Happened (Useful recap for the uninitiated.) On July 23, a Dallas County jury returned a $604 million advisory verdict against ...

Tech and urgent shipments support air cargo growth in June

High-value technology and urgent shipments, Middle East network recovery and North America strong performance contributed to year-on-year air cargo demand growth in June, according to IATA. The trade body said that total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased by 8.5% compared to June 2025. Demand grew faster than global trade, which increased 5.2% year on year, supported by high-value technology products, and urgent shipments, found IATA. In comparison, capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 4.4% year on year. Capacity growth was "below the pace of demand growth, resulting in higher cargo load factors (CLF)", said IATA. The organisation added: " Supply expanded across most regions, although African carriers reduced available lift." Additionally, jet fuel prices fell by 20% month-on-month, but remained 45.8% above year-earlier levels. Monthly fuel prices eased as oil flows through the Persian Gulf improved, while USD-denominated air cargo yields recorded their first month-on-month decline following a sustained period of increases. Cargo yield, however, remained well above prior-year levels Global manufacturing activity eased slightly in June but remained supportive, while export orders weakened. The Global Manufacturing Output Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell 0.5 points to 53.0, while the New Export Orders Index remained below the 50-mark for a fourth consecutive month at 49.4. "This suggests that air cargo growth was driven by specific trade flows rather than a broad-based increase in global exports," said IATA. Willie Walsh, IATA's director general, commented: "Air cargo demand grew 8.5% year-on-year in June. While North America was the strongest contributor to growth, demand in all regions was in positive territory compared to last year. "Demand growth outpaced capacity at the global level and in all regions except Latin America and the Caribbean. Demand also grew faster than global trade, supported by high-value technology products, and urgent shipments. "While this all gives strong reasons for optimism in the second half of 2026, risks remain -- continuing hostilities in the Middle East and a renewed focus on tariffs by the US among them." Regional performance International cargo traffic expanded by 9.6% year on year. "North American carriers led growth, while the sharp acceleration among Middle Eastern carriers marked the most significant regional improvement on YoY growth," said IATA. Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 7.9% year-on-year growth in air cargo demand in June. Capacity increased by 4.3% year-on-year. North American carriers saw a 13.1% year-on-year increase in air cargo demand in June, the strongest performance of all regions. Capacity increased by 6.2% year-on-year. European carriers saw a 6.9% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in June. Capacity increased by 3.7% year-on-year. Middle Eastern carriers saw a 5.6% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in June. Capacity increased by 2.5% year-on-year. While the results for the month were in growth territory, they are skewed to the positive as the comparison is to June 2025 which was particularly weak for carriers in the Middle East as a result of disruptions due to military conflict. Latin American and Caribbean carriers saw a 3.5% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in June, the weakest performance of all regions. Capacity increased by 9.8% year-on-year. African airlines saw a 4.7% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in June. Capacity decreased by -7.1% year-on-year. Air cargo performance diverged across major trade lanes in June. Asia-North America recorded the strongest growth, followed by Within Asia, Europe-Asia, and Africa-Asia. In contrast, Gulf-linked corridors remained disrupted by the conflict in the Middle East. The Asia-North America trade lane was up 14.7% year on year, with five consecutive months of growth, while the Europe-Middle East trade lane was down 41.1%, and recorded four consecutive months of contraction.

PanStar Northern Sea Route maiden voyage attracts attention

South Korean exporters are enthusiastic about the country's maiden container shipping voyage through the Northern Sea Route. Cargo is being booked for the 2,800 teu box ship to be chartered by PanStar Line for the 22 August service from Busan, calling at Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Gdansk. PanStar held a briefing session on Monday, attended by exporters and 3PL executives from CJ Logistics, LX Pantos, Hyundai Glovis, Taewoong Logistics and Intergis, among others. Safety concerns were alleviated by highlighting that the average temperature in the Arctic Ocean during the voyage would be between 1º and 8ºC, which small difference between day and night is favourable for maintaining cargo quality. Since PanStar opened bookings for the service, requests from shippers and forwarders have been increasing rapidly for diverse cargo, including automotive parts and synthetic resins - key exports to Northern Europe - as well as used cars, food products, liquid cargo, cosmetics, and steel products. And enquiries and reservations for transhipment cargo from Japan and China are also increasing, raising the likelihood that the Arctic route will expand into a North-east Asian multimodal logistics network. PanStar's general manager, Kang Sang-in, said: "The Arctic route is not merely about pioneering a new route, but is also a challenge that creates a new history for South Korea's shipping industry." Primarily operating passenger and cargo ferry routes between South Korea, Japan, and China, PanStar :Line was the only company to participate in the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' tender for the pilot South Korea-Europe voyage through the NSR. The South Korean government is keen to emulate China in arranging expedited container shipping routes through the NSR. Potential extension of navigable periods in the Arctic Ocean, due to warmer temperatures, and the growing need for supply chain diversification has made China and Japan look to the NSR as an alternative bridge between Asia and Europe. In particular, amid heightened uncertainty over the Suez Canal route, due to the Red Sea crisis and geopolitical risks, the Northern Sea Route is attracting interest as an alternative capable of shortening sailing distances and transit times.