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Welcome to your daily industry briefing.
To save you from jumping between multiple tabs, I’ve curated today’s most relevant news in global logistics, international trade, freight, and customs for 20-03-2026. Condensed and ready for a quick, insightful read 🚀.
📋 Today’s Headlines:
- Spanish Live Flowers and Plants Imports Surge 12% to €419M in 2025
- WTO Warns Middle East Conflict to Slow Global Trade Growth in 2026
- Exporters Shift to Molded Fiber to Navigate 2026 Plastic Tax Regimes
- eTIR Tops IRU Customs Affairs Agenda Amid Supply Chain Pressures
- Nine Asian Ports Dominate 2025 Global Top 10 Container Traffic Rankings
- IMO Urges Safe Maritime Corridor in Strait of Hormuz to Evacuate Stranded Ships
- Shanghai and Singapore Top 2025 Container Throughput Rankings
- O’Leary Calls Spanish Minister Bustinduy an “Idiot” in Escalating Ryanair Feud
- China Restricts Fertilizer Exports to Safeguard Domestic Market Amid Global Shortages
- Seven Nations Condemn Iran Attacks and Strait of Hormuz Closure
- IMO Council Condemns Iran Attacks on Merchant Ships Amid Escalating Conflict
- Spain Clarifies: 46-Tonne Limit for Intermodal Transport Applies Only Nationally
- Hapag-Lloyd Signs Letter of Intent with India to Boost Maritime Cooperation
- Hapag-Lloyd Strengthens India Operations with Multi-Sector Maritime Agreement
Spanish Live Flowers and Plants Imports Surge 12% to €419M in 2025
Spain’s imports of live flowers and plants reached €419 million in 2025, marking a 12% increase from 2024 levels, driven by heightened demand in the ornamental sector.[1]
Imports from the European Union grew by 10% and accounted for 58% of the total, while non-EU sources rose 15%, reflecting Spain’s reliance on key suppliers like the Netherlands, which provided $150.25 million in 2024.[1][4]
📉 Moderate supply chain pressure from rising volumes
⚓ Increased freight demand at key EU ports like Rotterdam
📋 Standard EU customs procedures apply with no new barriers
🌍 Stable EU trade relations support growth
WTO Warns Middle East Conflict to Slow Global Trade Growth in 2026
The World Trade Organization (WTO) released its latest Global Trade Outlook on March 19, 2026, forecasting a slowdown in global merchandise trade to 1.9% growth in 2026 from 4.6% in 2025, with combined goods and services trade at 2.7%.[1][2][3][6]
The Middle East conflict, including disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, threatens to reduce merchandise trade growth to 1.4% if high oil and LNG prices persist, while also impacting services trade by 0.7 points through elevated transport costs and reduced travel.[1][3][4][6]
📉 Elevated energy and transport costs amid conflict risks
⚓ Strait of Hormuz disruptions halt shipping, raise freight rates
📋 Potential fertilizer shortages strain food import regulations
🌍 US-Israel strikes on Iran escalate Gulf tensions
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