Radiant's Freight Market Update: December 11, 2025
This week: Washington making a fresh push in New Delhi; U.S.–Mexico water tensions escalating; Hydrogen moved by rail in Britain for the first time.
Current Critical Industry Trends
Washington is making a fresh push in New Delhi. U.S. officials are meeting with India to steady ties strained by tariffs and shifting energy dynamics. Progress on a trade deal remains slow, but the talks help support U.S.–India trade and supply chain planning.
U.S.–Mexico water tensions are escalating. President Trump is pressing Mexico to release overdue water under a long-standing treaty, warning of new 5% tariffs. Mexico plans partial deliveries, keeping cross-border supply chains on alert.
Ocean
The Suez Canal is seeing a partial shipping comeback. CMA CGM and other lines are gradually restoring scheduled services, which could shorten transit times and help global logistics recover from prior disruptions. Faster Suez rotations may improve reliability for East-West container flows.
Ports
Europe’s container‑port landscape is shifting. Only three of the top 15 EU ports saw double-digit growth in Q3 2025, with Gdansk leading thanks to its new Baltic Hub terminal. Bremerhaven and Hamburg also posted gains, signaling a rebound in northern European container traffic.
U.S. retail container imports are set to keep falling into 2026. October shipments dropped nearly 8% year over year, with even lower volumes projected in the coming months. Tariffs and early-year imports are factors, but retailers are adjusting to keep goods moving and shelves stocked.
International
China’s annual trade surplus just topped $1 trillion for the first time. Exports rebounded in November, with strong sales to the EU and Africa offsetting a 29% drop to the U.S. The milestone underscores China’s reliance on external demand even as domestic consumption lags.
Trucking
Alabama cracks down on illegal commercial drivers. Recent inspections on high-risk interstates flagged 242 individuals, resulting in 82 detentions. Officials say the effort protects highway safety and ensures law-abiding truckers can operate without being undercut by illegal operators.
Rail
Hydrogen has moved by rail in Britain for the first time. Containers were transported from Doncaster to High Marnham, connecting to the UK’s largest green hydrogen production facility. The milestone shows rail’s potential as a zero-emission fuel distribution network and a key tool for decarbonizing freight.
Air
TAP Air Portugal adds new route to boost São Paulo cargo reach. The carrier has expanded its GRU Connect service to 37 weekly flights with a new link via Salvador. With four airfreight routes now in place, the added capacity supports rising trade between Europe and Brazil.
Air cargo stays strong as IATA projects 2.4% volume growth in 2026. Despite global trade headwinds, demand for time-sensitive and e-commerce shipments continues to soar. IATA expects cargo volumes to hit 71.6m tonnes, with revenues reaching $158B.
Technology
Port of Riga adopts Spark Bot to power smart maritime operations. This lightweight, electric drone boat makes silent navigation possible with real-time AI decisioning. Its integration with underwater drones allows for seabed mapping, object detection, and more.
Other
New U.S. bill aims to crack down on rising cargo theft across supply hubs. Senators Blackburn and Klobuchar introduced legislation to equip agencies with elite tech and federal coordination. The move follows $400M in reported losses and growing threats to intermodal freight security.
Canada outlines new plan to prevent future border system outages. CBSA and SSC have delivered a detailed action plan after nationwide IT failures disrupted every mode of trade. The upgrades focus on reducing human‑error risks, strengthening oversight and restoring reliability for cross‑border supply chains.
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As always, Radiant’s team is here to help. Our expert teams are ready to answer any questions you may have or give advice for managing the current logistics environment. Additionally, if you need help moving freight or gaining visibility and control over your supply chain, we’d happily discuss what Radiant can do for you. Contact us!