Maritime Mood Monitoring: Key Trends Shaping Global Trade & Logistics This Week

🧭 TL;DR (WEEK OF Sep 8–15, 2025)

Rates ease again: Global WCI slipped to the low $2,000s/FEU (−3% WoW); SCFI and CCFI also declined.
Policy pressure up: UK blacklisted 70 “shadow fleet” tankers; U.S. unveiled its largest Houthi-related sanctions package.
Ops watch — India & EU: Transporters’ strike began at Mundra/Kandla; Rotterdam facing longer berthing queues and high yard use.
U.S. West Coast: Long Beach incident saw 67 boxes topple and a brief Pier G pause; broader LB dwell remains 4–8 days.

📊 Maritime Mood Index

Score: 5.5 / 10 — Soft rates with regional risk spikes

Security Risk (↑): Added sanctions scrutiny; isolated incidents and casualty management continue.
Rate Dynamics (↓): Composite spot down again; transpacific GRIs partly offset Asia–Europe softness.
Operational Disruptions (→/↑): Mundra/Kandla trucking halt; Rotterdam dwell up; LB incident contained.
Policy Pressure (↑): New UK tanker sanctions; major U.S. OFAC designations.
Innovation & Infrastructure (→/↑): Portland T6 long-term operator secured; IFC port-energy investment; HMM–Vale 10-year COA.

Interpretation: The thirteenth straight weekly decline in the global composite suggests price floors are being tested. Sanctions and India’s inland transport action add friction at the margins, while targeted incidents are being managed without broad network knock-on effects. Maintain flexible routings and modest buffer time on EU and India corridors; monitor transpacific GRIs for late-September bookings.

🚨 Top Headlines to Watch (Sep 8–15, 2025)

Theme	Key Development	Operational Relevance
Spot Rates	WCI fell to ~$2,044/FEU (−3% WoW); SCFI and CCFI also eased.	Hold RFQs open; expect mixed GRIs on T-Pac vs. weaker Asia–EU.
Sanctions (UK)	UK added 70 tankers tied to Russian oil “shadow fleet.”	Enhance vessel screening (flag/history/STS); review P&I and charter clauses.
Sanctions (US)	U.S. rolled out its largest Houthi-related sanctions action (32 entities; 4 vessels).	Re-screen counterparties and ships; watch Red Sea insurance/routing advisories.
India Inland	Transporters’ indefinite strike at Mundra/Kandla began Sep 12.	Pre-book drayage; consider Nhava Sheva/Pipavav; extend gate/rail buffers.
Europe Ports	Rotterdam berthing delays up to ~8 days; yards ~70–83%.	Add dwell buffer; consider Antwerp/Hamburg; secure barge/feeder slots early.
US West Coast	Long Beach: 67 containers toppled; Pier G ops briefly paused.	Confirm terminal windows; expect localized yard/berth adjustments only.
US Ops Snapshot	LB local-import dwell ~4–8 days; LBCT gate turns ~30–35 min.	Prioritize early pickups; schedule empties; coordinate rail reservations.
Portland (OR)	Terminal 6 secures long-term private operator.	Exporters retain PNW container option; monitor service adds in Q4.
Infra & Deals	IFC $500m investment (Basrah Gas & Umm Qasr facilities).	Long-run uplift for Iraq energy export and port capacity.
Bulk/COA	HMM signs 10-yr COA with Vale (~KRW 430bn).	Bulk employment tailwind; diversification beyond container cycles.

📊 Market Movements

Container Rates: Thirteenth Weekly Dip, Mixed by Trade

Global composite spot eased again, with Asia–Europe leading declines and transpacific lanes showing selective GRI support. Export indices from Shanghai corroborate the softer tone, while carriers continue tactical blankings and schedule realignments.

Global (WCI): ~$2,044/FEU (−3% WoW) — 13th straight weekly slide.
SCFI (Shanghai export spot): 1,398.11 (down from 1,444.44 a week prior).
CCFI (China composite): 1,125.3 (−2.1% WoW).
Driver: Asia–EU weakness; T-Pac GRIs offer partial offset; carriers holding capacity discipline.

Regional Port Conditions

Port	Trend	Driver	Takeaway
Rotterdam	Berth delays up to ~8 days; yard ~70–83%	Labor tightness; higher dwell; barge/feeder delays	Add 2–4 days buffer; consider Antwerp/Hamburg alternatives
Los Angeles / Long Beach	LB dwell ~4–8 days; localized pause at Pier G (incident)	Inbound volumes; safety protocols after container topple	Prioritize early pickups; confirm appointments; watch Pier G updates
Shanghai (Yangshan)	Wait ~48–96 hrs	Vessel bunching; congestion	Advance VSA coordination; protect transshipment windows
Ningbo	Wait ~24–72 hrs	Bunching; maintenance works at some terminals	Book earliest feasible cutoffs; monitor gate advisories
Qingdao	Wait ~24–48 hrs	Congestion; bunching	Use alternate North China load ports if timing critical
Singapore	Wait ~12–24 hrs	Throughput normalization; residual bunching	Keep feeder buffers; align barge schedules
Mundra / Kandla	Cargo movement disrupted	Transporters’ strike (indefinite)	Diversions via Nhava Sheva/Pipavav; extend dray/rail lead times
Jebel Ali	Casualty managed at berth (Wan Hai 503)	Salvage & inspections under authority control	Minimal network impact; plan around any berth-specific constraints

⚠️ Operational Disruptions

India — Mundra & Kandla

Indefinite transporters’ strike commenced Sep 12, affecting gate moves and inland haulage around Kandla/Mundra.

Status: Trucking halted across key associations; widespread disruption to export receiving and import evacuations.
Driver: Protest over road conditions and tolls.
Action: Shift cargo via Nhava Sheva/Pipavav where possible; extend free time buffers; pre-book rail; alert consignees to revised ETAs.

Europe — Rotterdam

Berth delays extended and barge/feeder connections constrained; import dwell elevated with yards trending ~70–83% utilization.

Status: Up to ~8 days at certain terminals; barge/feeder delays.
Driver: Labor availability; vessel bunching; high yard density.
Action: Consider alternate North Range ports; lock in barge/feeder slots; add 2–4 days buffer on EU routings.

USA — Long Beach Incident

67 containers toppled into the harbor during operations, prompting a temporary pause at Pier G; no injuries reported. Broader complex remains open with LB dwell ~4–8 days.

Status: Localized clean-up and safety checks completed; terminal ops resumed.
Driver: On-dock handling incident; precautionary terminal measures.
Action: Verify appointment availability and any yard reconfigurations; plan early pickups; coordinate with dray partners.

UAE — Jebel Ali (Casualty Management)

Fire-damaged Wan Hai 503 has been granted port of refuge and arrived to berth/anchorage under authority oversight; inspections and controlled discharge to follow.

Status: Vessel secured; inspections ongoing; broader terminal network operating normally.
Driver: Post-fire structural assessments; safety protocols.
Action: For affected boxes, expect extended handling/claims timelines; for other calls, minimal impact but confirm berth windows.

🛠 Innovation & Infrastructure

Portland (OR) Terminal 6 Secures Long-Term Operator

Long-term lease agreement keeps a vital PNW export/import gateway available for regional shippers following years of uncertainty.

IFC $500m for Basrah Gas & Umm Qasr Facilities

Financing package supports associated gas capture and logistics infrastructure tied to Umm Qasr, bolstering future port throughput and energy exports.

HMM–Vale: 10-Year Iron Ore COA (~KRW 430bn)

Decade-long contract adds stable bulk employment as HMM diversifies beyond container cycles; five bulkers to operate from 2026–2036.

Turn this week’s rate moves, sanctions checks, and port delays into reliable ETAs—track vessels, terminals, and exceptions in real time with TRADLINX Ocean Visibility.

📚 Sources & Reference Links

World Container Index – Drewry – Sep 11, 2025
SCFI & CCFI – Shanghai Shipping Exchange – Sep 12, 2025
MacroMicro: SCFI/CCFI Snapshots – Sep 12, 2025
UK sanctions 70 tankers (Reuters) – Sep 12, 2025
U.S. Treasury: Largest Houthi-related sanctions package – Sep 11, 2025
Mexico to raise tariffs on Chinese cars to 50% (Reuters) – Sep 10–12, 2025
Port Update: Rotterdam delays & yard utilization (Hillebrand Gori) – Sep 8, 2025
India: Mundra/Kandla transporters strike – Sep 12, 2025
Kuehne+Nagel: Weekly Port Operational Update – Sep 6–11, 2025
Hapag-Lloyd: North America Ops Snapshot (LB dwell & gate turns) – Sep 12, 2025
Long Beach container topple (The Guardian) – Sep 10, 2025
Hapag-Lloyd: Asia & Oceania Ops (wait times) – Sep 12, 2025
Portland Terminal 6 long-term operator (gCaptain) – Sep 12, 2025
Port Commission agrees to Terminal 6 lease (Oregon Business) – Sep 12, 2025
IFC $500m for Basrah Gas & Umm Qasr (Reuters) – Sep 13, 2025
HMM–Vale 10-yr COA (~KRW 430bn) (Splash247) – Sep 12, 2025
HMM–Vale details (Seatrade Maritime) – Sep 12, 2025
Wan Hai 503 arrives Jebel Ali (gCaptain) – Sep 11–12, 2025
Wan Hai official update (Port of Refuge approval) – Sep 11, 2025

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