News

A federal appeals court upheld the Federal Maritime Commission's authority to reject detention charges that do not promote cargo movement. The ruling stemmed from a case in which Evergreen billed a trucking company $510 for equipment it could not return during a 2020 Port of Savannah closure.

The court found the fees were unreasonable because the port was closed, making equipment returns impossible. The decision reinforces the FMC's position that detention charges must encourage freight movement—not serve as penalties—and that carriers must provide evidence of actual costs if they claim fees are compensatory

BTS: U.S. Airline Fuel Costs Rise in May 2026

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported that scheduled U.S. airlines spent $6.66 billion on fuel in May 2026, up 3.0% from April and 83.9% higher than May 2025.

Airlines consumed 1.627 billion gallons of fuel, an increase of 3.5% month over month but 0.6% lower than a year earlier. The average fuel price was $4.09 per gallon, down 2 cents from April but 85.0% higher than May 2025.

The report notes that Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines now report combined fuel data following their merger. BTS also cautions that fuel costs can be influenced by hedging, figures are not adjusted for inflation or seasonality, and the data may be revised as updated information becomes available. Historical fuel cost and consumption data dating back to 2000 are available through BTS.

Discover what's driving the future of breakbulk shipping—from the energy transition and fleet scarcity to AI-powered logistics. Key trends, trade flows, and FAQs.

Global Marketing Systems (GMS) says a new U.S. license allowing the recycling of four sanctioned ships could provide a legal model for permanently dismantling aging "shadow fleet" vessels. The company argues this would improve maritime safety, reduce environmental risks, and strengthen sanctions by removing high-risk ships from service under strict legal oversight, rather than allowing them to continue operating outside regulated markets.

This article argues that the European Commission has been reluctant to enforce EU antitrust rules on shipping alliances involved in China–EU trade because of geopolitical, economic, and climate policy concerns. The author contends that EU law still requires the Commission to investigate anti-competitive behavior, even when it occurs outside the EU if it affects the EU market. The article suggests that companies affected by these practices, such as freight forwarders, may have legal grounds to file complaints or seek damages if the Commission fails to act.

CMA CGM is expected to overtake Maersk as the world's second-largest container shipping company by 2027 due to its aggressive expansion and large orderbook of new vessels. Meanwhile, Maersk has chosen to focus on integrated logistics services rather than growing its fleet. The ranking change highlights two different business strategies—growth through scale versus growth through logistics—and the coming years will show which approach performs better as the shipping market faces increasing capacity and potential downward pressure on freight rates.

Saudi Aramco is trying to sell more oil, faster.

After almost four months of disruption, Saudi Arabia has restarted shipping oil from Ras Tanura, the world's largest oil export terminal. Instead of selling much of this oil at its usual fixed prices, it's offering some cargoes at negotiable market (spot) prices to attract buyers, especially in Asia.

Learn why independent freight forwarders join global networks to expand reach, access trusted partners, reduce risk, and accelerate growth.

Discover Martijn Tenniglo’s 30-year journey in freight forwarding, building global partnerships, lasting friendships, and sustainable business growth.

UNI Logistics is named Freight Forwarder of the Year 2025 and unveils its new head office in Gdynia, marking a major milestone in its growth.

In this edition of Apollo in the Spotlight, we speak with John Bishop, Managing Director of ACC Shipping, with offices in Kent & London, UK. With a leadership-driven path into logistics, John offers a thoughtful perspective on guiding a long-established freight forwarding business through modernization, while preserving the relationships and trust that define the industry. From the evolving role of AI to the realities of global supply chain volatility, he shares insights shaped by experience, adaptability, and a clear vision for the future.

Modern piracy looks very different from the movies. Today, criminals on the open water rarely want to sink a ship. Instead, they aim to kidnap crews for ransom or steal high-value cargo. While massive container ships and PCTC-vessels (pure car and truck carriers) act as towering sailing fortresses that pirates almost never attack, other ships face severe daily risks. Breakbulk vessels sit right at the top of that target list.