DBA's Freight Market Update: February 26, 2026
This week: Tariff refunds may be coming, but not quickly; Snow shuts down the Northeast U.S.; De minimis stays on hold.
Current Critical Industry Trends
Tariff refunds may be coming, but not quickly. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s emergency tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, potentially opening the door to billions in duty refunds. Trade experts warn importers face extensive paperwork, possible litigation, and new 15% tariffs under Section 122.
Snow shuts down the Northeast U.S. A powerful blizzard forced container terminals at the Port of Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to close, while heavy snowfall, high winds, and icy roads disrupted flights, schools, and ground transportation across the region.
Ocean
Opposition is mounting in Israel. Hapag-Lloyd’s proposed $4.2 billion takeover of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services has sparked union protests, reduced port operations, and scrutiny from the Knesset over national security concerns.
Southeast Asia drives OCEAN Alliance’s 2026 plan. New and expanded direct services from Vietnam and Thailand target “China +1” cargo, including double-weekly sailings from Laem Chabang to the U.S. West Coast. Overall connectivity remains stable at 498 port-port links, reflecting a targeted reallocation of capacity.
Ports
Canada is exploring year-round shipping at the Port of Churchill. The federal government launched a study, led by Minister Eleanor Olszewski, to assess long-term growth potential, complementing Arctic Gateway Group’s business development efforts and targeting Western Canadian agricultural, mining, and energy exports.
International
De minimis stays on hold. President Trump’s order continues to suspend the U.S. duty-and-tax-free threshold for low-value imports, even after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled IEEPA tariffs unconstitutional, leaving legal questions unresolved and postal duties recalibrated.
Trucking
Cargo theft is rising sharply across North America. Violent thefts are gripping Mexican truckers with organized crime increasingly targeting freight in transit, making highways dangerous and prompting industry concern about safety and loss, while in Canada trailer thefts have nearly doubled and many cargo losses go unreported as organized criminal activity grows more sophisticated.
National push to tighten trucking compliance. Transportation ministers agreed to strengthen enforcement and advance a cross Canada trucking agreement. Officials say the measures will improve safety and streamline domestic trade.
Rail
Cross border rail deal expands scale. Cando’s purchase of Savage Rail unites U.S. corridors with a strong Canadian network. The merged company will operate 80 service sites across North America.
Air
Miami cargo volumes reach new high in 2025. The airport handled nearly 3.5m tons, marking a sixth year of sustained expansion. International traffic, led by Latin American partners, continues to drive momentum.
Technology
Maritime cyber attacks double in 2025. Incidents rose 103% last year as ransomware and supply chain breaches disrupted vessels and ports. Experts warn cyber risk now poses operational and safety threats across global shipping.
China completes unmanned container vessel call. The electric feeder Zhi Fei executed autonomous navigation, mooring, and cargo handling at Qingdao with no crew onboard. The milestone advances scalable smart shipping operations.
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As always, DBA’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!