This week brought several significant developments for global supply chains. From a new U.S.-China tariff agreement and sweeping EU customs reforms to shifting ocean capacity, air cargo disruptions in Bangkok, and evolving ground transport networks between China and Europe, there's plenty for supply chain professionals to keep an eye on.

  • 5 min

Current Position | Weekly Briefing September 23rd - September 29th

The Expeditors Podcast

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You're listening to Current Position, a weekly briefing from Expeditors mapping the shifts across trade compliance, regulatory changes, and global supply chains. Plus... actually, no plus for air or ocean market insights this week; it's just the news.

I'm Chris Parker, and here's the latest from September 23rd to September 29th.  

Global Customs & Trade Market

China and the U.S. agreed to extend their trade truce into early 2027 and cut tariffs on $60 billion of goods. China agreed to trim duties on U.S. corn, wheat, meat and wood, while Washington will cut duties on Chinese appliances, tableware and holiday goods. China also committed to buy U.S. coal and farm goods. Trump and Xi reached the deal during their summit this week.    

The EU has launched its biggest customs overhaul in decades with its move toward a single Customs Data Hub. The reform will gradually replace up to 27 national customs systems with one EU platform where businesses submit import and export data. “Trust & Check” traders that provide full supply chain transparency could eventually clear goods with minimal intervention. The changes also include a separate handling fee for small e-commerce parcels. 

Global Ocean Market

Container rates on some trade lanes decreased ahead of China’s Golden Week due to more traffic returning to Suez Canal routings. Drewry’s World Container Index slipped to just shy of $4,500 per 40ft, as Suez transits rose to 48 and the OOCL Portugal made COSCO’s first southbound passage since the Red Sea crisis. Rates on lanes from Shanghai to Genoa fell 5% and Shanghai to Rotterdam 4%. Transpacific rates held firmer, with a box moving Shanghai to New York costing around $10,373 thanks to carriers stacking blank sailings.

Delays continue for goods moving in and out of India as landslides, service cancellations and vessel redistribution to other trade lanes have impacted capacity. Dwell times remain elevated across Northwest India, with berth delays ranging from 4-8 days. Several carriers have reallocated larger vessels from the India trade to support the Transpacific market. In turn, smaller vessels have been introduced on India services, further reducing overall capacity.

Global Air Market

Thai Airways (TG) plans to suspend inbound, outbound, and transshipment cargo at the THAI Cargo Terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) October 1-6. The notice follows days of torrential rain and widespread flooding with local authorities declaring all 50 Bangkok districts’ disaster-affected areas. Flooding is compounding existing airport congestion and manpower shortages. The TG terminal is the larger of BKK’s two cargo terminals and is estimated to handle more than half of the airport’s cargo throughput.

Global air cargo tonnage rose for a fourth straight week in mid-September, holding rates well above last year. WorldACD reported week-38 tonnages up 2% week-on-week and 8% year-on-year. The increases are led by a 14% rebound in North America volumes after a Labor Day dip. Worldwide average rates held at $3.45 per kilo, which are up 33% year-on-year. Asia Pacific–Europe spot rates stayed firm.

Global Ground Transport Market

Road freight is taking on a bigger role in China–Europe trade via the Middle Corridor. The IRU says more than 3,700 TIR-registered trucks now run from China on over 120 routes into Central and Eastern Europe. Bonded TIR transport between China and Azerbaijan can now be completed in around 15 days; roughly half the equivalent sea journey. China has added priority “green lanes” at key crossings, as China–CEE trade reached $161.5 billion in 2025.   

The UK’s diesel supply faces a new risk after President Trump backed a U.S. export ban. The Netherlands and U.S. supplied Britain with 58% of its white-diesel imports in 2025. If Trump pushes through a plan to restrict U.S. diesel exports, it could force European buyers to compete harder for scarce cargoes as European diesel futures have more than doubled this year. 

You are now at our current position. Links to everything we covered today, plus some extra articles of interest, are in the show notes.

And while you're there, check out the events and webinars we flagged for the weeks ahead. Thank you for listening, and we'll see you next week. 

Be sure to subscribe to your preferred podcast platform so you don't miss future episodes. To learn more about Expeditors, you can find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X, or simply visit us at expeditors.com. Take care, and I'll see you next time!