Global Shipping

1. Strategic Capacity Expansion
   • U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports are aggressively investing to expand their infrastructure.
   • These expansions are aimed at solidifying their importance in global shipping networks and increasing throughput.
2. Trade Policy Headwinds
   • Recent U.S. trade measures are complicating the growth plans: new tariffs on Chinese goods, fees on China-linked vessels, and proposed duties on STS cranes.
   • These policies are raising operational costs and increasing risk for port operators.

Background

New port fees have been introduced by both the U.S. and China targeting vessels built, owned, or operated by companies in those countries. These fees aim to penalize or regulate traffic tied to those jurisdictions.

Emirates Shipping Lines (ESL) has officially entered the US market by launching a new direct shipping service connecting Southeast Asia and South China to Seattle through the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA).

This expansion strengthens ESL’s global presence and provides new opportunities for importers and exporters in the Pacific Northwest. The service aims to improve connectivity, reduce transit times, and support growing trade between Asia and the United States.