Jaguar Freight | The Weekly Roar – Preparing for new port fees, the July 2025 LMI, postponed EU tariff countermeasures, changes for air cargo and freight forwarding, and Gartner’s latest analysis of Gen AI adoption.

In tariffs news… the main story is that many of the long-promised country-specific tariffs went into effect on August 7. Hopefully, supply chains can move forward with more certainty and the true market impacts can begin to be understood.

In an important country-specific update, President Trump issued an executive order (click to read) announcing an additional 25% tariff on India as punishment for importing Russian oil.

Speaking of market clarity for importers, as part of the U.S. Maritime Administration’s recently introduced fee regime, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is getting ready to enforce new port fees that target ships tied to Chinese companies. That includes ships that are owned, operated, or leased by Chinese interests, but mostly impacts COSCO, China’s major ocean carrier. By April 2028, these ships will be paying an extra $140 per ton in fees. Washington is concerned about China’s growing influence in global shipping infrastructure and is hoping to level the playing field for non-Chinese carriers while addressing perceived risks.

The July 2025 Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI) report highlights steady growth in the U.S. logistics sector, with the overall index reaching 55.6, an indication of continued expansion. There are only modest increases in inventory levels, pointing to cautious optimism among businesses, but warehousing capacity remains tight, and that’s pushing costs higher. As far as transportation metrics go, there’s a mixed picture. Utilization is up, but domestic transportation prices are easing amid signs of increased capacity. Survey respondents see resilience in supply chains and ongoing investment in technology and automation to address labor shortages.

The European Union has postponed its planned tariff countermeasures against the United States for six months as tariff tirades continue. Their counter-tariffs, which were set for July 14, would have impacted €93 billion ($109 billion) in U.S. goods like steel, cars, and agricultural products, were first delayed to August and now pushed to March 2026. The new deal would set U.S. tariffs at 15% for most EU goods, with certain products like aircraft parts and semiconductor equipment dropping to 0%.

Thanks to evolving global economics, shifting trade policies, and a push for greater efficiency, air cargo and freight forwarding are facing significant change. Despite reports of slowing growth and softer volumes, some in the industry see these trends as opportunities for adaptation and innovation. One big change is the end of the de minimis exemption, which will likely push more cargo into traditional bulk shipping and domestic fulfillment, meaning increased demand for forwarders.

Gartner’s latest analysis finds generative AI (Gen AI) in procurement and supply chain processes stuck in the “trough of disillusionment.” What is that, you ask? It refers to the phase where early enthusiasm fades due to integration hurdles, underwhelming results, and fragmented data. Some early adopters report efficiency, automation, and cost savings, but it seems that broader success has been limited by poor data quality, complex IT landscapes, and staff resistance. Gartner’s recommendation is an investment in clean, standardized data, targeted tools, updated procurement workflows, regular monitoring of regulations, and upskilling teams. They also point out that organizations caving to pushback and hesitating to adapt risk falling behind.

For the rest of the week’s top shipping news, check out the article highlights here.

Compliments of Jaguar Freight – a member of the EACCNY.