Summary
Public updates from July 25 show port and intermodal investment remaining central to supply-chain resilience, with Japan approving a major port infrastructure programme and Coos Bay advancing a ship-to-rail container gateway. Alaska Airlines plans to expand its freighter fleet, strengthening time-sensitive regional cargo networks. Ocean procurement remains mixed: Drewry's benchmark fell, but Maersk surcharge changes show fuel and route-risk costs are still being passed through. Cold-chain security and land-side capacity also need closer operating controls as shippers prepare August bookings.
Key Updates
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Splash Ports reported that Japan approved a JPY 76.2 billion, roughly $510 million, annual programme for cargo-handling equipment, terminal land and industrial development across 73 ports. The plan includes terminal land, cargo-handling machines and warehouse projects. For Asia-linked shippers, these investments support medium-term port capacity, while near-term execution still requires monitoring construction windows and local gate conditions.
Source: Japan approves $510m port infrastructure programmeContainer News reported that the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay signed a $25 million INFRA grant agreement for the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port project. A private-sector match brings early-stage funding to $50 million for environmental review, permitting and preliminary engineering. If delivered, the project would add a West Coast ship-to-rail gateway option for importers and exporters.
Source: Port of Coos Bay secures US$25 million INFRA grant for ship-to-rail terminalContainer News reported that Alaska Airlines signed long-term leases for four Boeing 737-800 converted freighters, expanding its dedicated fleet from five to nine aircraft. The aircraft are expected to enter service in the first half of 2027 across Alaska and Hawaii-related networks. The added capacity should improve options for seafood, medicine, e-commerce and other time-sensitive regional cargo.
Source: Alaska Airlines to double cargo fleet with four additional freightersContainer News reported that COSCO Shipping Ports handled 61.3 million TEUs in the first half of 2026, up 8.2% year on year. Overseas terminals grew faster, reaching 20.5 million TEUs, with gains at Laem Chabang, Sokhna and Chancay. The figures point to wider routing options, though performance remains uneven across individual gateway ports.
Source: COSCO Shipping Ports reports 8.2% throughput growth in first half of 2026Drewry's July 23 assessment put the World Container Index at $4,374 per 40ft container, down 4% as Asia-Europe and Transpacific rates softened. Shanghai to Los Angeles, New York, Genoa and Rotterdam all declined. Drewry still flagged tariff uncertainty, Strait of Hormuz concerns and emergency fuel surcharges as factors that could influence market conditions, so procurement teams should not treat a one-week index move as the full cost picture.
Source: World Container Index - 23 JulContainer News reported that Maersk will adjust peak-season surcharges from Far East Asia to Saudi Arabia, North Europe and the Mediterranean, and revise emergency contingency surcharges from selected Oman and UAE ports. The changes take effect by trade between August 1 and August 10. August booking reviews should separate base ocean freight from PSS, ECS, bunker and destination charges.
Source: Maersk revises PSS and Emergency Contingency Surcharges on key trade lanesFreightWaves reported that Italian authorities seized about 1,700 pounds of cocaine hidden in a reefer container carrying bananas from Ecuador to Vado Ligure, with an estimated street value of about $290 million. The case shows how legitimate fresh-produce supply chains can be exploited. Cold-chain shippers should connect booking controls, seal records, loading photos, tracking data, consignee checks and inspection response procedures.
Source: Banana shipment from Ecuador to Europe concealed $290 million in cocaineDH Logistics View
- Today's updates show port and rail-linked infrastructure becoming a key variable in freight network resilience. For exporters, a workable logistics plan is not only the lowest ocean rate; it also depends on port capacity, rail handoff, drayage availability and backup gateways.
- August ocean quotes need careful surcharge review. Even with Drewry's weekly index moving lower, carriers can still pass risk through bunker, peak-season, emergency contingency and destination charges.
- Air cargo fleet expansion is constructive for time-sensitive cargo, but most new capacity is medium-term. Near-term peak-season shipments still require early space checks, temperature-control planning, documentation and security readiness.
Planning Notes
- For August shipments to the Middle East, North Europe, the Mediterranean and South America, separate PSS, ECS, bunker and destination charges from the base freight rate and confirm effective dates.
- For reefer, fresh produce and high-value cargo, strengthen loading photos, seal records, GPS tracking, consignee screening and abnormal-inspection authorization.
- For supply chains touching US West Coast or Japanese ports, include rail intermodal capacity, terminal works and port warehousing in second-half contingency planning.
- For urgent air cargo, confirm available flights, transfer nodes, temperature packaging and cut-off times instead of comparing airport-to-airport kilogram rates only.
Sources
View sources (7)
- Japan approves $510m port infrastructure programmeSplash Ports · 2026-07-25
- Port of Coos Bay secures US$25 million INFRA grant for ship-to-rail terminalContainer News · 2026-07-25
- Alaska Airlines to double cargo fleet with four additional freightersContainer News · 2026-07-25
- COSCO Shipping Ports reports 8.2% throughput growth in first half of 2026Container News · 2026-07-25
- World Container Index - 23 JulDrewry · 2026-07-23
- Maersk revises PSS and Emergency Contingency Surcharges on key trade lanesContainer News · 2026-07-24
- Banana shipment from Ecuador to Europe concealed $290 million in cocaineFreightWaves · 2026-07-25