Bosch's Huawei case is a warning shot for logistics

Key takeaway: The DOJ's first National Security Division declination under its new corporate enforcement policy looks like a win for self-disclosure. In reality, it's a $36m warning to every company with a global supply chain touching US technology. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) on 17 June announced it would not prosecute Robert Bosch GmbH for export control violations involving unauthorized shipments to Huawei, making the German industrial giant the first company to receive a declination from the National ...

Liners send new capacity straight into busy Asia-Latin America services

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 Tokyo and CMA CGM Copper, will be deployed to Asia-South America services. Delivered from HD Hyundai Samho, the 13,136 teu CMA CGM Copper is the second last among 12 methanol-enabled sister ships that CMA CGM commissioned. CMA CGM Copper has 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 are well suited to the South American trade, as they offer significant reefer capacity with their 2,100 plugs. The 8,900 teu Maersk 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 have 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/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 by 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 teu OOCL Wisdom. Built by Nantong Cosco KHI Ship Engineering, OOCL Wisdom is the largest methanol dual-fuelled ship and will be assigned to OOCL's Asia-North Europe service. Another ship, the 16,188 teu CMA CGM Berenice, was delivered by Jiangnan Shipyard and will be sent to CMA CGM's Asia-Mediterranean service. One feeder ship, 1,208 teu Mila 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.

Will air cargo volumes be impacted by end of de minimis in EU?

E-commerce air cargo volumes into the European Union (EU) may be impacted by the end of the de minimis exemption and the introduction of higher costs for shippers. As of 1 July, the EU introduced a temporary €3 customs duty on low-value parcels imported from outside the EU, mainly through e-commerce. EU member states previously agreed to introduce the customs duty charge per item on parcels valued below €150. This is intended to bridge the gap until the EU Customs Data Hub is launched in 2028. This customs duty includes a wide range of products commonly bought online, such as clothing, toys, electronics, and other consumer goods. The new duty will apply per item, based on tariff classification and not quantity, said the European Commission. The seller or importer will be responsible for declaring and paying the duty as part of the customs process. It may become clear in the following weeks and months what impact the end of the exemption will have on e-commerce shipment volumes The US government's decision in April last year to end the de minimis exemption for imports from China valued at less than $800 resulted in increased costs and a drop in demand on the route. The policy was extended to apply to all countries of origin from the end of August last year. China's e-commerce export volumes shifted from China-US to China-Europe, although volumes to the US have now largely recovered. "Every day, millions of low-value parcels enter the EU," said the EC. "Many contain products that do not meet EU safety standards or are undervalued or falsely declared to avoid customs duties. "At the same time, the current customs duty exemption gives non-EU sellers an unfair advantage over businesses that manufacture or sell products in the EU." The EC added: "The new measure will help create fairer competition for EU businesses, better protect consumers from unsafe products, tackle customs fraud, and address environmental concerns over mass shipping. "The EU is working to modernise customs procedures to strengthen the single market and ensure that all businesses selling into the EU compete on equal terms while meeting the EU's safety and compliance standards." The UK is also exploring the removal of its own exemption for e-commerce parcels, although this is not expected until 2029. Airfreight rate analytics platform Xeneta predicted slower e-commerce growth this year due to increased shipper costs, tax reporting requirements in China and declining consumer purchasing power. But despite the global crackdown on import rules, IATA has previously said it was confident that demand for e-commerce will remain firm and the vertical will continue to drive air cargo volumes.