Canada tariffs more than 700 US goods as lanes shift

The Global Trade Brief · 22 September 2026

Five minutes to understand what matters in global trade.

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What to Watch

• Watch for maritime traffic to resume through Bab el-Mandeb after the halt off Yemen.
• Watch Hormuz transits after bulk and commodity vessel traffic fell to three ships in 24 hours.
• DHL’s September 23 webinar will cover EU product identifiers, a handling fee and IOSS changes.

The full day in global trade

Today’s Headlines

• DHL sets October 1 EUDR compliance webinar
• IMO urges governments to stop attacks on merchant ships
• US delays excess-capacity tariff plan until after summit
• USDOT raises fuel trucker duty window to 16 hours
• Barcelona port traffic rises 1.5% through August
• LA and Long Beach propose $60 zero-emission truck credit
• New services reshape Chile fruit routes to US East Coast
• Calaf auto rail terminal completed after €12m-plus investment
• Maersk removes Asia-Europe LCL peak-season surcharge
• Transito launches Rhine sea-inland service under one contract
• Black Sea drone attack kills master and injures three

Today’s Analysis

🌳 DHL explains EUDR obligations as traceability reshapes EU imports

Why it matters: Importers of affected goods will need due diligence and documentation showing that their products did not originate from deforested land.

• DHL will hold a free EUDR webinar on October 1, 2026.
• The session will identify affected commodities, products and company types.
• DHL will address customs, documentation and logistics requirements.
• The regulation requires traceability and evidence of deforestation-free origin.

🛡️ IMO condemns widening ship attacks after a Black Sea strike kills a master

Why it matters: Attacks spreading across trade routes increase crew exposure and can disrupt vessel availability, insurance and schedules.

• The head of the International Maritime Organization called on governments to stop attacks on merchant shipping.
• The IMO said conflicts are spilling into important global trade routes.
• A drone attack on a Ukraine-bound vessel in the Black Sea killed its master.
• Three crewmembers were injured in the Black Sea attack.
• Russian and Ukrainian forces traded drone strikes against shipping overnight.

🏛️ US delays capacity tariffs while easing fuel-haul limits and funding clean trucks

Why it matters: The three measures alter near-term tariff exposure, fuel-haul availability and drayage economics for US supply chains.

• The US is expected to delay new excess-capacity tariffs until after the planned summit between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump.
• The proposed tariffs concern allegations of excess manufacturing capacity among US trading partners.
• USDOT now allows fuel truck drivers to operate up to 16 hours in a 24-hour window.
• The normal fuel-trucker operating limit is 14 hours.
• Los Angeles and Long Beach propose paying qualifying zero-emission trucks $60 per terminal visit.
• The proposed port incentive totals up to $36,000 per vehicle annually.

⚓ Barcelona’s bulk growth and Calaf’s new rail terminal expand cargo options

Why it matters: Growth in bulk and vehicle traffic is being matched by new rail infrastructure capable of moving automotive cargo in longer trains.

• Port of Barcelona handled 47,530,886 tonnes from January through August 2026.
• Total traffic increased 1.5% from the same period in 2025.
• Container traffic was nearly flat at 2,533,725 TEU, down 0.1%.
• New-vehicle traffic rose 4.3% to 487,970 units.
• Autoflotas completed the Calaf automotive rail terminal after investing more than €12 million.
• The terminal has four tracks designed for trains up to 750 metres long.
• Autoflotas expects regular services before the end of 2026, subject to administrative procedures with Adif.

📦 Maersk removes an LCL surcharge as Chile fruit services alter US delivery

Why it matters: Lower Asia-Europe LCL charges and revised Chile-US port calls change landed costs and routing choices for time-sensitive cargo.

• Maersk stopped applying its LCL Peak Season Surcharge from Far East Asia to North Europe and the Mediterranean.
• The change applies from the Price Calculation Date of September 17, 2026.
• The removal covers Maersk’s E1W and E2W trade corridors.
• Eligible origins include China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam.
• Container and specialized reefer services are changing port calls for Chilean table-grape deliveries to the US East Coast.
• The Chilean table-grape market is three months away.

🚤 Transito bundles sea and Rhine transport to absorb transfer disruption

Why it matters: A single contract can reduce coordination gaps where low water, port congestion and vessel delays disrupt sea-to-barge transfers.

• Dutch chartering company Transito launched the Total Freight service.
• Total Freight combines sea freight and inland shipping under one contract.
• Transito arranges both transport legs, port handling and transshipment.
• The service absorbs agreed waiting time.
• The launch responds to persistent low-water conditions on the Rhine.

Sources

1. EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
2. IMO Sounds Alarm as Attacks on Merchant Ships Spread Across Global Trade Routes
3. Trump Administration to Delay Excess Capacity Tariffs
4. USDOT Relaxes Service Hour Limits for Truckers Hauling Fuel
5. Port of Barcelona Grows 1.5% Through August
6. Ports of LA, Long Beach Propose Incentives for Zero-Emission Trucks
7. New Services Upend Chilean Fruit Delivery to US East Coast
8. Calaf Terminal Opens a New Stage in Automotive Rail Logistics
9. Maersk Removes LCL Peak Season Surcharge from Asia to Europe
10. Transito Launches Total Freight as Rhine Low-Water Challenges Persist
11. Drone Attack Kills Master, Injures Three Crewmembers in Black Sea