USTR port-fee suspension still ends 9 November

The Global Trade Brief · 29 September 2026

Five minutes to understand what matters in global trade.

The Big Move

USTR port-fee suspension still ends 9 November

Why it matters: Without a written extension, exposure to US port fees on Chinese-built and Chinese-operated ships after 9 November remains uncertain.

  • Scott Bessent told Fox News on 23 September that the truce would run to 10 January 2027.
  • A marine insurer briefed its members on the announced extension the next day.

Source

The Route

Panama Canal restores one daily Neopanamax slot

Why it matters: The easing improves booking availability for Neopanamax users.

  • The Panama Canal Authority acted amid improving rainfall.
  • The canal also increased the maximum draught, allowing heavier vessel loads.

Source

The Number

VesselsValue registers 14 VLCC deals in September

14 transactions

Why it matters: Prospective buyers face a more expensive entry point for VLCC exposure in a more active sale-and-purchase market.

  • August recorded five transactions.
  • The sales register had yet to include week 39.
  • AXIA reported five-year-old VLCCs at $180m, up 6.51% week on week.
  • Disclosed transaction values reached approximately $1.54bn.

Source

Also Today

Sea-Intelligence puts global August reliability at 49.9%

Why it matters: Shippers face greater transit-time uncertainty as late vessels arrive further behind schedule.

  • August marked the second consecutive monthly decline, down 5.9 percentage points.
  • The average delay for late arrivals rose 0.60 days month on month to 6.81 days.
  • No top-13 carrier recorded a month-on-month improvement.
  • Sea-Intelligence cited severe port congestion in Asia as the backdrop.

Source

What to Watch

  • Overlapping Serbia and Romania rail works are expected to disrupt Türkiye-EU freight for months.
  • Maersk’s $500 surcharge cut from the Indian Subcontinent to western Latin America is set for 10 October 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and notice periods.
  • BIMCO says faster fleet growth could weaken container shipping’s supply-demand balance in 2027.

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