Real-Time Visibility Takes Flight

Real-Time Visibility Takes Flight

Jun 24, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

New live flight tracking powers smarter airfreight decisions with MVT Track & Trace.

We’re excited to share a powerful new upgrade to MVT Track & Trace, Metro’s shipment visibility platform, that delivers even greater control and confidence when managing your airfreight.

Our latest enhancement introduces real-time flight telemetry tracking, giving you an instant, accurate view of your air cargo’s location, live and in motion. For every shipment, you can now follow its journey across an interactive map, complete with precise flight paths and positional data updated in real time.

Whether you’re monitoring standard freight or time-critical consignments, this new feature transforms how you track air movements, with benefits that include:

  • Live flight tracking for every airfreight shipment
  • Visual map interface showing the current aircraft position and route
  • Accurate flight data, including departure, ETA, and arrival confirmation
  • Time-stamped milestone events, clearly logged for full shipment oversight

Each key status change is automatically captured and displayed through a clean, user-friendly interface, so you’re always in the know, without the need for chasing updates.

This level of transparency is especially valuable when speed and certainty matter most. By enriching your operational visibility, our new flight telemetry feature supports smarter decisions, tighter planning, and more resilient supply chains.

At Metro, we’re committed to continuous innovation that makes logistics smarter, faster, and easier to manage. This upgrade to MVT Track & Trace is just one of the ways we’re helping you stay ahead.

Want to see it in action? Log in to your MVT portal today or EMAIL Ian Powell,
Customer and Technical Solutions Director.

Tariff Pause Triggers Surge in Ocean Freight Rates – But Legal Roadblocks Lie Ahead

Tariff Pause Triggers Surge in Ocean Freight Rates – But Legal Roadblocks Lie Ahead

Jun 11, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Container shipping lines are driving spot rates sharply higher, with the 2025 transpacific peak season likely to begin earlier than usual, fuelled by a surge in US imports from Asia.

Spot rates on key routes are rising faster than during the pandemic-era boom. Carriers implemented general rate increases (GRIs) on 1 June and plan further hikes for mid-June and 1 July, seizing the moment while demand is high.

According to the WCI, Shanghai–Los Angeles rates surged 57% week-on-week, while Shanghai–New York climbed 39%. Since mid-April, West Coast rates are up 173%, and East Coast rates have more than doubled. For comparison, rates rose just 20% over the same period in 2021. Asia–Europe lanes are also rallying, with the Shanghai–Rotterdam index up 32% and Shanghai–Genoa rising 38%, the highest weekly increases in many months.

But this momentum may be short-lived, as a wave of new capacity is entering the market. On Asia–West Coast routes, supply will grow by 13% in June and 16% in July. This additional capacity is expected to blunt the impact of further rate hikes, and limit the length of the current rally.

At the same time, the legal outlook for Trump ‘reciprocal’ tariffs remains highly uncertain. On 29 May, a federal appeals court temporarily reinstated the tariffs, just one day after the US Court of International Trade ruled that the former president had exceeded his authority and ordered an immediate block. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington paused that decision to consider the government’s appeal, with final briefs due by 9 June.

However, legal experts suggest that the original court ruling is on strong footing. Under the current framework, principally the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), presidential authority to impose broad-based tariffs is limited. The Court of International Trade ruled that Trump’s use of IEEPA to impose tariffs on non-emergency, peacetime imports likely overstepped constitutional bounds.

If the appeal fails, Trump’s tariffs will face two remaining paths: either a legislative push to expand presidential tariff authority through Congress, or a ruling from the Supreme Court. The latter remains a real possibility if the administration persists and seeks to test the constitutional limits of executive trade powers.

In the meantime, the legal limbo is prompting importers to accelerate orders while the tariffs remain suspended, adding further pressure to ocean freight markets. But with front-loading already well advanced, this year’s peak season is expected to be earlier and shorter than the usual August–October window. While carriers are determined to ride the wave of high rates, fundamentals suggest the next one or two GRIs may be the last before rates begin to level off.

With legal uncertainty surrounding US tariffs and ocean freight markets under intense pressure, early planning and expert guidance are more critical than ever.

Metro’s experienced sea freight and customs brokerage teams are here to support your transpacific and Asia–Europe supply chains, with in-market expertise and local operations in the US.

Whether you’re juggling critical shipments, reviewing tariff exposure, or seeking end-to-end compliance support, Metro has the insight and capability to keep your cargo moving.

EMAIL our managing director, Andrew Smith, today to stay ahead of disruption and secure your space at the best possible rates.

Near-Shoring Gains Momentum Across EMEA

Near-Shoring Gains Momentum Across EMEA

Jun 5, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , ,

Faced with rising tariffs, geopolitical risk, and ongoing disruption to global transport networks, a growing number of businesses are turning to near-shoring as a strategic way to strengthen supply chains.

Near-shoring, the relocation of manufacturing or sourcing to nearby countries, gained attention in boardrooms when the pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of far-flung, overly concentrated supply chains, with the current tariff disruption renewing interest in the strategy.

Recent data reveals a clear trend: foreign direct investment (FDI) into near-shore manufacturing hubs in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and North Africa is up more than 60% compared with pre-pandemic levels. More than 15 destinations across these regions recorded five or more manufacturing investment projects each over the past year.

Companies are seeking to reduce exposure to tariff shocks, avoid over-reliance on a single geography or supplier, and better respond to market shifts. Unlike full re-shoring, near-shoring offers a balanced approach, retaining cost efficiency while improving agility.

Major global manufacturers are already making moves. A well-known French automotive brand invested €400m to expand its Turkish operations into an EU export hub, while Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is building its first European plant in Hungary. Hungary alone has seen a 140% rise in manufacturing investment over five years, with Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and North Macedonia also recording strong gains.

In North Africa, Morocco and Egypt are emerging as strategic alternatives. These markets combine population scale, cost competitiveness, and a growing skilled workforce, making them attractive to firms seeking stable, scalable supply options within reach of European customers.

Supply chain, cost, and environmental advantages
Beyond geopolitical resilience, near-shoring offers a wide range of operational and environmental benefits:

  • Shorter lead times: Reduced transit distances enable faster response to demand changes and shorter replenishment cycles.
  • Lower transport costs: Closer-to-home sourcing significantly reduces shipping spend and exposure to ocean freight volatility.
  • Less reliance on air freight: Shorter routes and predictable lead times reduce the need for costly, carbon-intensive air freight.
  • Lower emissions: A more regionalised supply chain helps reduce carbon footprints and supports ESG and net-zero targets.
  • Improved collaboration: Proximity improves communication, supplier relationships, and coordination across the supply chain.
  • Risk mitigation: Near-shoring builds resilience into operations, limiting the impact of global disruptions.

While near-shoring may not match Asia’s ultra-low production costs, countries such as Turkey, Hungary, Egypt, and Morocco offer a strong balance of affordability, labour availability, and growing infrastructure.

Long-term advantage through strategic sourcing
Near-shoring is no longer a short-term reaction to tariffs or global disruption, it’s becoming a foundational pillar of modern supply chain strategy. Brands that invest in supplier networks closer to their markets are gaining long-term advantage through speed, adaptability, sustainability, and reduced risk.

Power your near-shore strategy with Metro
Whether you’re exploring new EMEA sourcing options or already shifting production closer to home, Metro has the tools and expertise to optimise your near-shore operations.

  • Our MVT supply chain platform delivers vendor management and end-to-end visibility
  • Our dedicated EMEA and Overland department provides regional expertise and support
  • Our regular European road services, including market-leading Turkish services, ensure seamless overland freight and final-mile delivery

EMAIL managing director, Andrew Smith, today to streamline your near-shoring strategy and secure a more sustainable, resilient supply chain.

Global Schedule Reliability Rises Again

Global Schedule Reliability Rises Again

Jun 2, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Container shipping schedule reliability improved for the second consecutive month in April 2025, reaching its highest level since November 2023. According to the latest industry data, 59% of vessel arrivals were on time in April, up from 58% in March and 6% higher than April 2024.

While still far from pre-pandemic levels, the trend reflects a clear focus among carriers on restoring service integrity.

The standout performer remains the Gemini Cooperation, formed by Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, which continued to dominate on-time performance metrics across key global trades. In April, Maersk posted the highest reliability among the top 13 carriers at 73%, followed closely by Hapag-Lloyd at 72%. MSC placed third with 61%.

Gemini achieved an average of 91% on-time reliability across all port calls and 87% when measured by final destination arrivals, well above its 90% performance target on several major lanes, including Asia–US West Coast and US East Coast–Europe services. On the Asia–North America West Coast route, Gemini achieved a perfect 100% score. Meanwhile, MSC led on the Asia–North America East Coast trade, recording 92%.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Premier Alliance and Ocean Alliance continued to struggle. Premier averaged 53% reliability, while Ocean Alliance fell to 51%. Among individual members, Evergreen recorded the lowest schedule performance at 47%.

Market impact of improving reliability
Improving schedule reliability is more than just operational, it’s strategic. Consistent service performance enables shippers to reduce safety stocks and better manage inventory, improving overall supply chain efficiency. Simply, reliability allows companies to remove weeks of buffer stock from their planning.

In contrast, low-reliability carriers may find themselves at a competitive disadvantage, particularly if freight buyers begin to prioritise predictability over price alone in an increasingly complex market environment.

Rates hold firm as carriers manage capacity
As we report in this week’s newsletter average global spot freight rates have also shown moderate upward movement. The Drewry World Container Index reported a 2% rise in global average rates in mid-May, bringing the benchmark to a level that is 60% above the pre-pandemic average, but still far below the 2021–22 peak.

Shanghai–Genoa and Shanghai–New York spot rates both increased by 4% week-on-week, while Shanghai–Los Angeles edged up 2%. Backhaul rates out of Europe remained stable, indicating strong front-haul demand and tight outbound capacity from Asia.

The rate resilience is partly attributed to carriers’ continued capacity discipline and their renewed focus on reliability. As cargo volumes from Asia increase, partly driven by front-loading ahead of potential tariff changes, shippers are placing greater value on stable schedules and transit times.

With the full rollout of the new alliances not expected until July, further improvements in reliability may still lie ahead. For now, Gemini’s strong performance is setting a new service benchmark, while the broader market appears to be shifting in favour of predictability and performance over sheer price competition.

With carrier reliability still fluctuating across trade lanes, dependable sea freight solutions requires more than just a booking, it requires real-time insight and agility. Metro’s MVT platform continuously tracks shipping line KPIs, comparing actual performance across alliances and enabling us to dynamically adjust your supply chain around real arrival data, not published schedules.

Combined with our expert sea freight team and strategic carrier partnerships, this data-driven approach helps reduce delays, optimise inventory planning, and protect your service levels.

Partner with Metro for smarter, more reliable ocean freight, powered by MVT and built around your business. EMAIL Andrew Smith, managing director, today.

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