Zencargo Market Update: 12th May 2025
Scroll to find out more
Scroll to find out more
Last weekend’s ceasefire between India and Pakistan brought relief to both citizens and supply chains. But while military hostilities have ceased, the aftershocks remain.
Port operations on both sides were disrupted, with Indian western terminals experiencing blackouts and key Pakistani hubs facing suspended carrier calls. Air cargo suffered even more pronounced setbacks—more than 30 Indian airports saw closures, while reciprocal airspace bans forced reroutes, slashing capacity and inflating costs for temperature-sensitive goods like pharmaceuticals. Despite the resumption of operations, the situation remains fragile.
European Congestion: Warning Signs for Summer
Congestion at key Northern European ports—Rotterdam, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Antwerp, and Le Havre—remains severe, impacting vessel berthing, barge connections, and overall container movement within the terminals.
In the UK, London Gateway is currently the most affected port due to a surge in volume from Gemini. This has prompted both Pacific Atlantic (PA) and MSC to shift their services to Felixstowe.
Over the weekend, China and the U.S. agreed to a 90-day pause on escalating tariffs, marking a temporary de-escalation in the ongoing trade war that has disrupted supply chains worldwide.
Both countries will reduce the reciprocal tariffs imposed earlier this year.
The 90-day pause begins by May 14 and offers temporary relief for businesses sourcing from China. However, it’s important to note that this is a pause—not a resolution—so further negotiations and potential disruptions may still lie ahead.
Antwerp:
Rotterdam:
Europe Public Holidays
We anticipate a shortage of availability and the occurrence of delays around the bank holiday periods. Plan ahead and allow extra time for your products to be delivered.
The information that is available in the Zencargo Market Update comes from a variety of online sources, partners and our own teams. Click below to learn more about how Zencargo can help make your supply chain your competitive advantage.
In Focus: The July reciprocal tariff deadline approaches On July 9th, exemption...
In Focus: U.S. Tariff Volatility Spills Over In recent news, an appeals court h...