The Port of Los Angeles expects a 10% decrease in container throughput in the second half of this year, primarily due to market changes triggered by U.S. tariff policies against several countries. Despite a strong start to the year, the industry is filled with uncertainty about the future and must remain vigilant.
Amazon recently experienced a system outage, causing a sharp drop in sales for many sellers and preventing over 12,000 users from placing orders. This article analyzes the causes and potential risks of the incident, and provides cross-border sellers with self-rescue suggestions, including diversifying sales channels, refining operations, and implementing risk warning and response mechanisms. The aim is to help sellers maintain their position in the face of market challenges.
Impacted by the recovery of ocean freight, air cargo prices have significantly declined, prompting retailers to accelerate their shift to ocean shipping for cost reduction. The market is exhibiting a trend towards shorter-term contracts, placing pressure on industry profitability. However, new opportunities, such as cross-border e-commerce, persist. The market is expected to gradually stabilize in the future, but short-term challenges remain, requiring flexible strategies. The drop in air freight rates is primarily driven by retailers switching to ocean freight due to lower costs.
In the first half of 2025, cargo volume at the Port of Rotterdam decreased by 4.1%, with significant declines in both dry bulk and liquid bulk shipments. Although there was a slight increase in bulk throughput and a 2.7% growth in container transport, overall competitiveness remains under severe pressure. The port authority expressed concerns about low investment levels, highlighting the importance of revitalizing trade vitality for the future.
Freight rates on the US West Coast route have plummeted nearly 60% due to a confluence of factors including overstocked inventories by European and American shippers, weak demand due to inflation, and easing port congestion. Experts predict further rate declines, although a return to pre-pandemic levels is unlikely. Shippers should monitor market trends and optimize shipping schedules. Shipping companies need to adjust capacity and improve operational efficiency to navigate market volatility.
The appreciation of the RMB exchange rate puts pressure on the profits of cross-border e-commerce sellers, who face the challenge of choosing the right time for foreign exchange settlement. This article analyzes the reasons for exchange rate fluctuations and provides sellers with coping strategies such as rational foreign exchange settlement, risk diversification, enhancing product competitiveness, and multi-channel operation. It suggests prudent operation and brand building to cope with exchange rate risks and maintain profitability in the face of market volatility.
Shopee will levy a 5% technology fee in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, impacting cross-border e-commerce seller profits. Sellers should adopt strategies such as diversifying across multiple platforms, building brand awareness, optimizing operational models, specializing in niche categories, establishing independent websites, and leveraging technology to address rising costs and achieve sustainable growth. This fee significantly reduces profitability and necessitates proactive adaptation from sellers operating within these Southeast Asian markets. The new regulations pose a challenge but also an opportunity for innovation and strategic adjustments.
