The Port of Jacksonville in northern Florida is also seeing an uptrend in its Asia volumes. In March 2019, it set a port record with the arrival of the 11,000 TEU ZIM vessel Cape Sounio on a service offered by the 2M alliance.

Despite the current downturn, Lufthansa Cargo remains bullish on Asia. “The focus within our global route network is likely to remain on routes between Europe and North America and North Asia. Vietnam and India will certainly continue to play an important role within Asia, alongside Japan and China, including Hong Kong,” an airline official told Asia Cargo News.

The Jones Act, which limits waterborne cargo moves between two US points to US-built, crewed and owned vessels, is under attack by a Honolulu congressman, who says the act contributes to the high cost of living in Hawaii.

LATAM Cargo started the new year with a new catalyst for growing its perishables business. On January 16, Latin America’s largest carrier opened a US$3.5 million perishable hub facility at Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos airport, the carrier’s largest hub.