In 2023, Jiaxing Port achieved a remarkable container throughput of 1.089 million TEUs in the first 11 months, marking a 4.1% increase. Foreign trade containers grew by 7.8%. With the support of Dushan Wharf, the throughput at Dushan Port Area significantly increased by 76.8%. Additionally, the development of inland waterways has injected new vitality into container transportation, seeing an increase of over 100%.
Bamako Airport serves as a vital aviation hub for Mali's capital. Recent upgrades have significantly enhanced its operational capacity. Several international airlines operate scheduled passenger and cargo flights, facilitating trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. This activity injects new vitality into the local economy and strengthens Mali's connection to the rest of the world. The airport's strategic location positions it as a key gateway within West Africa.
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.
The successful annual conference of the Customs Representatives Association marked the official launch of the association's restructuring and modernization process, injecting new vitality into global customs cooperation. The conference emphasized the crucial role of customs specialists in international collaboration and looked forward to the future of customs cooperation in the context of digitalization and intelligence. The aim is to jointly address global challenges and promote global trade facilitation and security.
The trade agreement signed by the Trump administration raises tariff levels, making the Trans-Pacific trade environment more uncertain, which adds pressure on global businesses and economic cooperation. Companies face risks of rising costs, making it increasingly important to seek alternative solutions to navigate the uncertainty.
With WCO support, Bahrain Customs enhanced its post-clearance audit capabilities through workshops and learned about pre-arrival processing systems to meet WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement requirements. This initiative aims to optimize customs clearance processes, improve efficiency, and inject new vitality into Bahrain's economic development. The WCO's continued support will help Bahrain Customs modernize and serve as a model for other developing countries. The training focused on risk management and data analysis techniques to improve audit effectiveness and targeting.
The global air cargo market remains sluggish, with taxes and regulations being major obstacles. The Asia-Pacific region shows the weakest performance, while the Middle East and Latin America are strong. Load factors are declining, squeezing profit margins. IATA calls on governments to reduce taxes and simplify regulations to create a more favorable environment for the aviation industry and reshape global trade vitality. The industry needs support to overcome these challenges and foster growth amidst economic uncertainties.
Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport, a vital aviation hub in Southwest China, is boosting Guizhou's opening-up and local economic development through continuous infrastructure improvements and route network expansion. The airport's second-phase expansion is complete, and the third-phase is planned, aiming to establish it as a significant hub airport in the western region. This will inject new vitality into Guizhou's economic and social progress. The airport plays a crucial role in connecting Guizhou with the rest of the world and facilitating trade and tourism.
Viana do Castelo is a port city in northern Portugal, situated on the Lima River. It boasts a rich history and a strategic geographical location. The port (code PTVDC) specializes in barge transport and primarily serves European feeder lines, accommodating large vessels. The municipality is actively promoting port upgrades to enhance its regional logistics hub status and inject new vitality into the local economy. The revitalization aims to attract more business and solidify Viana do Castelo's position as a key player in the region's maritime trade.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) supported a customs valuation workshop in Cambodia to enhance the valuation capabilities of officers from the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia (GDCE). The workshop covered the WTO Valuation Agreement, key technical issues, and valuation control measures, sharing case studies and experiences. Through this workshop, Cambodian Customs is expected to improve revenue collection, promote trade facilitation, and inject new vitality into the national economic development. The focus was on practical application and knowledge transfer to improve valuation accuracy and efficiency.
